Communication device, communication method, and storage medium

Abstract

A communication device, a communication method, and a storage medium are disclosed. The communication device performs communication using a first mode or a second mode having a security-related mode that does not require a user to input a password, and is configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode based on a selected frequency band in a case where a setting that does not require a user to input a password is made.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a communication device capable of wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] In the development of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, the Wi-Fi Alliance plays a crucial role in ensuring the standardization of interactive connections within WLAN technology.

[0003] The communication device discussed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-89926 uses Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) / WPA2 for authentication, which is an authentication procedure provided by the Wi-Fi Alliance. On the other hand, there is also a conventional method called Open, which does not require the user to enter a password, in which communication can occur without authentication or encryption.

[0004] In addition, the Wi-Fi Alliance has released a new security approach called Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, which allows encrypted communication based on Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) without requiring users to enter a password.

[0005] In addition to the regular Open, Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, which allows encrypted communication without a password, is also listed as a secure method that does not require a password. Therefore, if a user selects a secure method that does not require a password, they will be prompted to choose between Open and Wi-Fi Enhanced Open. This may compromise user convenience. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a communication device that allows users to switch between security modes without user input when the user selects a security mode that does not require the user to enter a password, thereby improving user convenience.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication device is provided, the communication device performing communication using a first mode or a second mode having a security-related method that does not require user input of a password, the communication device comprising: a setting unit configured to perform authentication-related settings of the communication device; a selection unit configured to select a frequency band in which the communication device is to operate; and a control unit configured to switch between the first mode and the second mode based on the frequency band selected by the selection unit when the setting unit performs the setting that does not require user input of a password.

[0008] Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network established by a communication device.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a communication device.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a communication device.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example where the wireless operating mode is set to the 2.4 GHz band.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example where the wireless operating mode is set to the 6GHz band.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the process performed by the communication device.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example where the wireless operating mode is set to the 2.4GHz band.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example where no password is selected when extended security mode is available.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the process performed by a communication device with extended security mode. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configurations described in the following exemplary embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations illustrated in the drawings.

[0019] Figure 1An example configuration of a network established by an access point (AP) 102 according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. AP 102 is a communication device that plays the role of establishing network 101. Network 101 is a wireless network. The AP can be a printer, camera, projector, smartphone, mobile / portable device, computer, or similar device. In other words, the AP can be any communication device capable of communication (e.g., wireless communication) and capable of establishing network 101.

[0020] Station (STA) 103 is a communication device that participates in network 101. STA 103 conforms to the IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT) standard and can perform wireless communication via network 101 according to the IEEE 802.11be standard, where IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0021] Figure 2 An example of the functional configuration of AP 102 is shown. AP 102 includes a wireless local area network (LAN) control unit 201, a display screen generation unit 202, a user input analysis unit 203, a user interface (UI) control unit 204, a memory unit 205, and an external wireless detection unit 206.

[0022] The wireless LAN control unit 201 includes an antenna and circuitry for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from another wireless LAN device, as well as a program for controlling the antenna and circuitry. The wireless LAN control unit 201 performs wireless LAN communication control in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard family. AP 102 includes the wireless LAN control unit 201. In this exemplary embodiment, the number of wireless LAN control units is one, but the number is not limited thereto.

[0023] The UI control unit 204 includes hardware associated with a user interface such as a touch panel or buttons, and a program for controlling the hardware. The touch panel or buttons are used to receive operations performed by the user of AP 102 on AP 102. The program in the UI control unit 204, via... Figure 3 The user input obtained by the input unit 304 is sent to the user input analysis unit 203, and the image generated by the display screen generation unit 202 is sent to... Figure 3 The output unit 305 is shown. Furthermore, the UI control unit 204 has, for example, the function of presenting information such as audio output to the user.

[0024] User input analysis unit 203 receives information obtained from UI control unit 204 and analyzes the content of user commands. Specifically, user input analysis unit 203 analyzes the control content to be performed by wireless LAN control unit 201 and extracts the information to be displayed on display screen generation unit 202. User input analysis unit 203 sends the extracted information to display screen generation unit 202.

[0025] The display screen generation unit 202 generates content to be displayed on the UI based on information received from the user input analysis unit 203 and information in the memory unit 205, and sends the generated content to the UI control unit 204. The screen generated by the display screen generation unit 202 can change according to user input or the elapsed time.

[0026] The memory unit 205 is a memory device that may include programs running on the AP 102 thereon as well as programs for controlling the stored data, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM).

[0027] The external wireless detection unit 206 includes a program for detecting signals transmitted by other wireless systems at a specified frequency. Other wireless systems include, but are not limited to, fixed wireless systems and satellite communication systems. Broadcast communication systems may also be included.

[0028] Figure 3 An example hardware configuration of AP 102 is shown. AP 102 includes a memory unit 301, a control unit 302, a function unit 303, an input unit 304, an output unit 305, a communication unit 306, and a wireless antenna 307.

[0029] Memory unit 301 includes either or both ROM and RAM, and stores programs for performing various operations described below, as well as various information such as communication parameters for wireless communication. Instead of memories such as ROM and RAM, storage media such as floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, read-only optical disk storage (CD-ROM), optical disc recorders (CD-R), magnetic recording tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and digital versatile optical discs (DVDs) may also be used for memory unit 301.

[0030] The control unit 302 includes processors such as central processing units (CPUs) or microprocessor units (MPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The control unit 302 controls the entire AP 102 by executing programs stored in memory unit 301. The control unit 302 can also control the entire AP 102 in conjunction with programs and operating systems (OS) stored in memory unit 301.

[0031] Control unit 302 controls function unit 303 to perform predetermined processes such as imaging, printing, or projection. Function unit 303 is hardware for AP 102 to perform predetermined processes. For example, if AP 102 is a camera, function unit 303 is an imaging unit that performs imaging processing. For example, if AP 102 is a printer, function unit 303 is a printing unit that performs printing processing. For example, if AP 102 is a projector, function unit 303 is a projection unit that performs projection processing. The data processed by function unit 303 may be data stored in memory unit 301 or data that can be communicated with other communication devices (e.g., other AP 102s or stations such as STA 103) via communication unit 306, which will be described below.

[0032] Input unit 304 receives various operations from the user. Output unit 305 provides various outputs to the user. The outputs of output unit 305 include at least one of on-screen display, audio output from a speaker, vibration output, etc. Both input unit 304 and output unit 305 can be implemented using a single module such as a touch panel. Output unit 305 does not need to be installed on the main body of AP 102, but can be installed on other devices along with the program used to control output unit 305 and provide output to the user. Possible output destination media include, but are not limited to, personal computers (PCs) or smartphones connected to AP 102 via wired or wireless connections.

[0033] Communication unit 306 controls wireless communication or Internet Protocol (IP) communication according to the IEEE 802.11 standard family. Communication unit 306 also controls wireless antenna 307 to transmit and receive wireless signals for wireless communication. AP 102 communicates content such as image data, document data, and video data with other communication devices via communication unit 306.

[0034] Wireless antenna 307 is an antenna capable of receiving signals in any of the following frequency bands: sub-gigahertz (GHz), 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 4.9 and 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and 60 GHz. Wireless antenna 307 may physically include one or more antennas to enable multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) transmission and reception.

[0035] In the first exemplary embodiment, an example of a graphical user interface is described. However, a graphical user interface is not necessarily required. As part of the setup for activating AP 102, the user may enter the network name (Service Set Identifier (SSID)), wireless operating mode (the wireless LAN standard and frequency band to be used), security-related methods, encryption keys, etc. Typically, security-related methods (also referred to as security modes) are methods used to support encrypted or unencrypted communication and / or authenticated or unauthenticated communication. For example, a security-related method may use encryption and authentication methods (e.g., a security-related method requires the user to enter a password), or it may use encryption methods but not authentication methods (e.g., a security-related method does not require the user to enter a password), or it may use neither encryption nor authentication. Security-related methods may include authentication and encryption methods such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) / WPA2 / WPA3.

[0036] In this exemplary embodiment, AP 102 can switch between encrypted and unencrypted communication upon startup, based on a user-specified frequency band and a user-specified security method.

[0037] Figure 4 An example display is shown where the wireless operating mode of AP 102 is set by the user to the 2.4GHz band. Within the 2.4GHz band, there are two security modes that do not require user password input: regular Open (no authentication / encryption) and Wi-Fi Enhanced Open. Wi-Fi Enhanced Open is a security mode that does not require user password input and enables encrypted communication based on Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE). However, in this exemplary embodiment, when the wireless operating mode is set to the 2.4GHz band and no password is selected, unencrypted communication is enabled to enhance compatibility. In other words, when the first band is selected for operation (e.g., 2.4GHz) and no authentication-related password is set, the AP (e.g., via control unit 302) can select or set the mode used to support communication to a security-related mode without encryption (e.g., Open).

[0038] Figure 5 This example demonstrates how the AP 102's wireless operating mode is set to the 6GHz band by the user. Because WPA3 authentication (instead of WPA / WPA2 authentication) is required for communication in the 6GHz band, therefore... Figure 5 The security method illustrated can be WPA3. Furthermore, it is stipulated that authentication should not be performed in the 6GHz band Open mode. Therefore, when the wireless operating mode is set to the 6GHz band and no password is selected, Figure 5The passwordless setting illustrated here means that encrypted communication will be based on OWE. In other words, when operating on a second frequency band (e.g., 6GHz), the AP (e.g., via control unit 302) can select or set the method used to support communication to an encrypted security-related method (e.g., Wi-Fi Enhanced Open with OWE), if an encrypted security-related method that does not require user password input is selected.

[0039] This embodiment uses the 2.4GHz and 6GHz frequency bands as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these frequency bands. Similarly, in the 5GHz frequency band, unencrypted communication will be set up when the user selects no password.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by a control unit 302 capable of executing programs stored in the memory unit 301 of AP 102. The flowchart illustrates the processing for AP 102 to perform its functions as an AP using predetermined security settings in a specified frequency band. The processing in this flowchart begins when AP 102 is powered on.

[0041] In step S601, AP 102 displays AP wireless settings to the user. For example, the AP may collectively display security-related settings (requiring and / or not requiring user password input). The displayed wireless settings may include at least... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The displayed portion includes examples of the display and menus, such as drop-down menus for security modes. The displayed wireless settings may include a list of one or more security-related modes that do not require user password input and / or a list of one or more security-related modes that do require user password input. When displaying the wireless settings, the user enters the frequency band in which AP 102 will operate and the security-related modes, including authentication and encryption methods. Then, in step S602, AP 102 determines that the user has completed the input of the settings. AP 102 determines this by detecting a press on the settings button. If it is determined in step S602 that the user has completed the input of the settings, then in step S603, AP 102 obtains the wireless settings value specified by the user, including the frequency band and security-related modes. In step S604, AP 102 determines, based on the wireless settings value obtained in step S603, whether the entered security mode requires user password input. If it is determined in step S604 that the selected security mode requires user password input ("Yes" in step S604), then the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, AP 102 is activated as an access point using the security mode and frequency band settings specified by the user.

[0042] If, in step S604, it is determined that the selected security mode does not require user password input ("No" in step S604), the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, AP 102 determines whether the selected frequency band is the 6GHz band. If, in step S606, it is determined that the selected frequency band is the 6GHz band ("Yes" in step S606), the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, AP 102 sets the security mode to Wi-Fi Enhanced Open, which allows encryption based on OWE, and activates as an access point in the 6GHz band. If, in step S606, it is determined that the selected frequency band is not the 6GHz band ("No" in step S606), the process proceeds to step S608. In step S608, AP 102 sets the security mode to Open, which allows unencrypted communication, and activates as an access point in the user-specified frequency band.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, when the user specifies a security method that does not require the user to enter a password, the user can activate the AP when switching between using encrypted communication and unencrypted communication according to the frequency band.

[0044] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This example illustrates selecting a frequency band via wireless operation mode. Alternatively, frequency bands and security methods can be associated using other methods. Any method can be used as long as it allows identification of the frequency band to be used and identification of a security method that does not require a user password (password) among multiple security methods.

[0045] Figure 7 This example illustrates the UI presented to the user. Unlike... Figure 4 and Figure 5 Instead of selecting the frequency band via wireless operation mode as shown, the frequency band and security mode can be identified in different settings screens for each frequency band.

[0046] In the first embodiment, if no password is specified in the security settings presented to ordinary users in the UI, the communication device is configured to switch between encrypted and unencrypted communication based on the frequency band selected by the user. However, some users familiar with the security settings, while aware of compatibility issues with conventional authentication methods, may still wish to perform encrypted communication in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands. In the second embodiment, extended settings for such users familiar with the security settings will be described.

[0047] Figure 8An example is shown of AP 102 displaying a setup screen to a user with Extended Security Mode. If the user selects a security method that does not require a password, AP 102 allows the user to choose whether to enable Extended Security Mode. When Extended Security Mode is enabled, encrypted communication will be performed based on OWE regardless of the frequency band setting.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by a control unit 302 that can execute a program stored in the memory unit 301 of the AP 102 with extended security mode. The flowchart illustrates the processing for the AP 102 to perform its functions as an AP using predetermined security settings in a specified frequency band. The processing in this flowchart begins when the AP 102 is powered on.

[0049] Steps S901 to S903 and Figure 6 Steps S601 to S603 shown are similar, so their description will be omitted here. In step S904, AP 102 determines whether the selected security mode requires a user password. If the security mode is not required to require a user password in step S904 ("No" in step S904), the process proceeds to step S909. In step S909, AP 102 determines whether the extended security mode is valid. The extended security mode is a mode that allows encrypted communication based on OWE without requiring a user password, even in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band. If the extended security mode is valid in step S909 ("Yes" in step S909), the process proceeds to step S907. In step S907, AP 102 is set to encrypted communication and starts as an access point in the user-specified frequency band. If the extended security mode is invalid in step S909 ("No" in step S909), the process proceeds to step S906. In step S906, AP 102 determines whether the selected frequency band is the 6GHz band. Steps S906 to S908 are similar to steps S606 to S608 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, after determining in step S904 that the security mode requires a user password, step S905 performed by AP 102 is similar to step S605 in the first embodiment, and therefore will be omitted here.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, the AP 102 with extended security mode provides users familiar with security settings with highly flexible security settings.

[0051] In summary, the control unit 302, which executes one or more programs stored in the storage unit 301, provides: a setting unit for setting authentication-related parameters of the AP (e.g., as discussed above regarding steps S603 and S903, the setting unit indicates whether a password is required based on user input such as "no password" or security-related input with or without authentication methods); a selection unit for selecting the frequency band in which the AP will operate (e.g., as discussed above regarding steps S603 and S903, the selection unit selects the frequency band based on user input such as user selection of the frequency band); and a control unit for switching between the first mode and the second mode based on the frequency band selected by the selection unit when the setting unit has set the parameter to not require a password. In one example, when AP 102 is provided with authentication-related settings indicating that no password is specified (e.g., the user does not need to enter a password), the control unit of AP 102 (e.g., control unit 302) can set the AP to use a first mode (e.g., a security-related mode supporting unencrypted communication) or a second mode different from the first mode (e.g., a security-related mode supporting secure communication (e.g., using an encrypted method)) based on the selected frequency band. In one example, when the selected frequency band is the first frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), control unit 302 can set AP 102 to use the first mode (e.g., supporting unencrypted communication). In one example, when the selected frequency band is the second frequency band (e.g., 6 GHz), control unit 302 can set AP 102 to use the second mode (e.g., supporting encrypted communication). When the extended security mode is valid (i.e., the mode for encrypted communication is valid regardless of the selected frequency band), control unit 302 can set AP 102 to use the second mode (e.g., supporting encrypted communication) regardless of the frequency band.

[0052] A storage medium can be provided to a system or apparatus to store program code for software used to perform the above-described functions, and a computer (CPU or MPU) in the system or apparatus can read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium can implement the functions of the above embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above-described apparatus.

[0053] Examples of storage media used to provide program code include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic recording tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0054] Furthermore, not only can the computer execute the read program code to achieve the above functions, but the OS running on the computer can also perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions in the program code to achieve the above functions. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0055] The program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory, including the function enhancement board inserted into the computer or the function enhancement unit connected to the computer.

[0056] The CPU included in the function enhancement board or function enhancement unit can perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code to achieve the above functions.

[0057] The present invention can be implemented by providing a program capable of performing one or more functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or recording medium, and by having one or more processors in the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) capable of performing one or more functions.

[0058] In this invention, once the user selects a security method that does not require the user to enter a password, the user can switch between security methods without any user operation, thereby improving user convenience.

[0059] Other embodiments

[0060] Some embodiments may also be implemented by a computer that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transient computer-readable storage medium") to perform the functions of one or more embodiments described above and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing the functions of one or more embodiments described above, and by a method performed by a computer of the system or device by, for example, reading and executing computer-executable instructions from a storage medium to perform the functions of one or more embodiments described above and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more embodiments described above. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include a network of individual computers or individual processors to read and execute computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage devices for distributed computing systems, optical discs (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs). TMOne or more of the following: flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0061] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program.

[0062] Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments and is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication device that performs communication using a first or second method that requires no user input of a password, the communication device comprising: The setting unit is configured to perform authentication-related settings for the communication device based on user input. The selection unit is configured to select, based on user input, the frequency band in which the communication device will operate; as well as The control unit is configured to set one of the first mode and the second mode based on the frequency band selected by the selection unit when the setting unit has made a setting that does not require the user to enter a password, without receiving a selection between the first mode and the second mode from the user.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, When the selection unit selects to operate in the first frequency band, the control unit is configured to set the communication device to perform the function of the communication device using the first method.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, When the selection unit selects to operate in the second frequency band, the control unit is configured to set the communication device to perform its function as the communication device using the second mode.

4. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein, The first frequency band is either the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band.

5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein, The second frequency band is the 6 GHz band.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determining unit configured to determine whether the mode used for encrypted communication is valid regardless of the selected frequency band. in, If the determination unit determines that the mode is valid, even if the selection unit selects to operate in the first frequency band, the control unit is configured to set the communication device to perform the function of the communication device using the second mode.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, When the setting unit is configured to operate in a security-related mode that requires user password input, the communication device is configured to perform communication based on the security-related mode set by the setting unit.

8. The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein, The communication device is configured to centrally display security-related methods that do not require users to enter passwords.

9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, In the second method, the communication device encrypts based on the Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) standard.

10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, The second method is Wi-Fi Enhanced Openness.

11. The communication device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The function of the communication device is as an access point.

12. A communication method for a communication device, the communication device being configured to perform communication using a first mode or a second mode having a security-related method that does not require user input of a password, the communication method comprising: Configure authentication-related settings for the communication device based on user input; The user selects the frequency band in which the communication device will operate based on user input; as well as If the setup step does not require the user to enter a password, control is performed to set one of the first method and the second method based on the frequency band selected in the selection step, without receiving a selection between the first method and the second method from the user.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to operate as a communication device according to claim 1.

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