Communication device, control method of communication device, and storage medium storing program

Abstract

The present application provides a communication device, a control method of the communication device, and a storage medium storing a program. The communication device is capable of wireless communication with an external device, and includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a communication setting including an authentication method parameter for wireless communication, and a conversion unit configured to, in a case where the authentication method parameter included in the communication setting acquired by the acquisition unit indicates that a first authentication method is available and a second authentication method is not available, convert the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, the second authentication method having a higher security strength than the first authentication method.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a communication apparatus capable of wireless communication, a control method of a communication apparatus, and a storage medium storing a program. BACKGROUND

[0002] Camera functions and communication functions are often built into many electronic apparatuses such as personal computers, digital cameras, game machines, tablet terminals, and mobile phones, and the electronic apparatuses perform wireless communication with access points and other electronic apparatuses. Communication setting parameters used during wireless communication can be directly input by operating the electronic apparatus or can be input by reading a communication setting file in which communication setting parameters are written. The communication setting file includes communication setting parameters such as an encryption method and a password, and the electronic apparatus can be set for communication by reading the communication setting file from an external memory such as a secure digital (SD) card without a cumbersome input operation.

[0003] Further, by inputting a communication setting file generated by another electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus can share communication settings with the other electronic apparatus.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-212242 discusses an information processing apparatus that controls whether or not to import setting data of each application based on a version of the setting data and application information when the setting data is imported.

[0005] Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-257899 discusses an information processing apparatus that executes an application of a lower layer model via a simulation driver built into an upper layer model when the application of the lower layer model is read by the upper layer model.

[0006] In a case where the security strength of an authentication method with which the communication setting file is written is lower than the security strength of an authentication method that can be used by the electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus that has read the communication setting file cannot use the authentication method with higher security strength. For example, a case is cited in which an access point supports both wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protected access 2 (WPA2) and WPA3. If a first electronic apparatus that supports both WPA2 and WPA3 reads a communication setting file generated by a second electronic apparatus that supports only WPA2, the first electronic apparatus must communicate with the access point based on WPA2 even if the first electronic apparatus has an environment in which WPA3 can be used.

[0007] In a case where an environment in which communication settings with high security strength can be used, if communication settings with higher security strength can be generated by using the communication parameters of the input communication setting file, communication in the communication settings with higher security strength can be performed. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application aims to provide a communication device that is capable of performing communication with higher security strength in a case where the communication device acquires a communication setting.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication device that is capable of performing wireless communication with an external device, the communication device including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a communication setting, the communication setting including an authentication method parameter for the wireless communication; and a conversion unit configured to, in a case where the authentication method parameter included in the communication setting acquired by the acquisition unit indicates that a first authentication method is available and a second authentication method is not available, the second authentication method having higher security strength than the first authentication method, convert the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available.

[0010] Other features of the present application will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 is a table illustrating a configuration of a communication setting file according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B 、 Figure 3C and Figure 3D are each a diagram illustrating a user interface (UI) of a digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are each a conversion table of an authentication method according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital camera according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are each a conversion table of an authentication method according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a digital camera according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 8is a flowchart showing an operation of a digital camera according to a third example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 9A and Figure 9B are each a diagram showing a UI of a digital camera according to the third example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Example embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] The example embodiments described below are merely examples for implementing the present disclosure, and can be appropriately varied or changed according to the configuration of a device to which the present disclosure is applied or various conditions. Furthermore, the example embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0022] <Internal configuration of digital camera>

[0023] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera 100 as an example of a communication device according to a first example embodiment. In the present example embodiment, a digital camera is described as an example of a communication device. However, the communication device is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device can be an information processing device such as a portable media player, a tablet device, or a personal computer.

[0024] A control unit 101 controls each unit of the digital camera 100 on the basis of an input signal and a program described below. Alternatively, a plurality of hardware components can share processing to control the entire digital camera 100 instead of the control unit 101 controlling the entire digital camera 100.

[0025] An imaging unit 102 includes, for example, an optical lens unit and a lens control unit that controls aperture operation, zoom operation, and focus operation, and an image sensor that converts light (an image) incident through the optical lens unit into an electric image signal. As the image sensor, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor is generally used. Under the control of the control unit 101, the imaging unit 102 converts subject light focused by the optical lens unit included in the imaging unit 102 into an electric signal by the image sensor, and outputs digital data as image data after performing noise reduction processing and other processing thereon. The digital camera 100 according to the present example embodiment records the output image data in a recording medium 110 in accordance with a standard of design rules of a camera file system (DCF).

[0026] The nonvolatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable recordable nonvolatile memory, and stores programs and the like to be executed by the control unit 101 as described below. The work memory 104 functions as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data photographed by the imaging unit 102, a memory for displaying an image on the display unit 106, and a work area for the control unit 101.

[0027] The operation unit 105 is used to receive instructions of the digital camera 100 by a user. The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a power button for the user to instruct turning on and off of the power of the digital camera 100, a release switch for the user to instruct photographing, and a reproduction button for the user to instruct reproduction of image data. Further, the operation unit 105 includes operation components such as a dedicated connection button for starting communication with an external device via the connection unit 111 described below. Further, the operation unit 105 includes a touch panel formed on the display unit 106 (described below). Further, the release switch includes switches (SWs) 1 and 2. When the release switch is half-pressed (also referred to as a half-travel state), the SW 1 is turned on. By this operation, the operation unit 105 receives a photographing preparation instruction for a process such as an auto focus (AF) process, an auto exposure (AE) process, an auto white balance (AWB) process, and an electronic flash pre-flashing (EF) process. Further, when the release switch is fully pressed (also referred to as a full-travel state), the SW 2 is turned on. By this operation, the operation unit 105 receives an instruction to start photographing.

[0028] The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image at the time of photographing an image, photographed image data, and characters for a conversation operation. The display unit 106 does not necessarily have to be built in the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 only needs to be able to be connected to the display unit 106 located inside or outside the digital camera 100, and have a display control function of controlling display of the display unit 106.

[0029] The recording medium 110 can record image data output from the imaging unit 102.

[0030] The recording medium 110 can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the digital camera 100, or can be built in the digital camera 100. In other words, the digital camera 100 only needs to have an access portion that accesses the recording medium 110.

[0031] The connection unit 111 is an interface for connecting with an external device. The digital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment can transmit and receive data to and from the external device via the connection unit 111. For example, the digital camera 100 can transmit image data generated by the imaging unit 102 to the external device via the connection unit 111. Further, in the present exemplary embodiment, the connection unit 111 includes an interface for communicating with the external device in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard (i.e., so-called wireless local area network (LAN)). The control unit 101 realizes wireless communication with the external device by controlling the connection unit 111. However, the communication method is not limited to the wireless LAN, and can include, for example, an infrared communication method.

[0032] The connection unit 111 is an example of a first wireless communication unit.

[0033] Further, the connection unit 111 of the digital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an access point (AP) mode for operating as an access point in an infrastructure mode and a client (CL) mode for operating as a client in the infrastructure mode. Therefore, by causing the connection unit 111 to operate in the CL mode, the digital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment can operate as a CL device in the infrastructure mode.

[0034] In a case where the digital camera 100 operates as a CL device, the digital camera 100 can join a network established by an AP device located around the digital camera 100 by connecting to the AP device. Further, by causing the connection unit 111 to operate in the AP mode, the digital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment can operate as a simplified AP device, which is a kind of AP device having limited functions. When the digital camera 100 operates as a simplified AP device, the digital camera 100 itself establishes a network. Devices located around the digital camera 100 recognize the digital camera 100 as an AP device, and can join the network established by the digital camera 100. It is assumed that a program for causing the digital camera 100 to operate as described above is stored in the non-volatile memory 103.

[0035] The digital camera 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a kind of AP device, but is a simplified AP device that does not have a gateway function of transferring data received from a CL device to an Internet provider. Therefore, even if the digital camera 100 receives data from other devices that join the network established by the digital camera 100, the digital camera 100 cannot transfer the data to a network such as the Internet.

[0036] <Configuration of a Communication Setting File>

[0037] Figure 2Table 1 is a table showing the configuration of a communication setting file 200 used in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0038] The communication setting file 200 is a data set including all communication setting parameters necessary for the digital camera 100 (imaging device) to perform communication. The communication setting file 200 includes information for specifying a communication setting (communication setting name 201), information on a communication interface (I / F) to be used (LAN type 202A), information on wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) (Wi-Fi setting 202B), and information on a transmission control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP) (TCP / IP setting 203).

[0039] The Wi-Fi setting 202B includes information necessary for Wi-Fi setting, such as an authentication method 204, an encryption method 205, and a password 206, as information related to security strength.

[0040] In the communication setting file 200, a checksum is prepared for each communication parameter, and the checksum is used to check data damage or the like when the communication setting file 200 is read.

[0041] <INPUT OF COMMUNICATION SETTING FILE>

[0042] A method of inputting the communication setting file 200 into the digital camera 100 will be described. The communication setting file 200 is obtained via the recording medium (memory card) 110 of the digital camera 100. First, the communication setting file 200 is stored in the recording medium 110 using an external device or the like. Next, the recording medium 110 storing the communication setting file 200 is inserted into the digital camera 100, and the communication setting file 200 is input by operating the operation unit 105 according to a setting menu displayed on the display unit 106.

[0043] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B 、 Figure 3C and Figure 3D are diagrams each showing a user interface (UI) of the digital camera 100 when the communication setting file 200 is input into the digital camera 100. Hereinafter, a sequence of inputting the communication setting file 200 into the digital camera 100 will be described with reference to Figures 3A to 3D First, the communication setting addition menu shown in FIG. 10A is displayed on the display unit 106 of the digital camera 100. Figure 3A

[0044] In a case where the communication setting file 200 is used to input a communication setting, the menu 301 (input communication setting file) is selected. In a case where the menu 301 is selected, the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. 10B. Figure 3B

[0045] ​​Figure 3B A screen showing a list of communication setting files that can be input into the digital camera 100 is shown. In a case where the recording medium 110 stores a plurality of communication setting files, the plurality of communication setting files are displayed on the list. The information displayed on the list can be a file name of the communication setting file, information included in the communication setting file for specifying a communication setting (communication setting name 201), or a representative parameter that allows easy specification of a setting content such as a service set identifier (SSID). When the communication setting file to be input is selected from the menu 302, input processing of the communication setting file is started. When the processing is completed, the screen is switched to the screen in Figure 3C . In the input processing, a file damage is checked using a checksum provided in the communication setting file. In this case, if it is determined that the file damage is found, the fact that the file is not input is displayed on the display unit 106, and the screen is not switched to the screen in Figure 3C .

[0046] Figure 3C The content 303 of the communication setting stored in the selected communication setting file is shown. The operator checks the displayed content 303 to determine whether or not the content 303 of the communication setting file is to be input. In a case where the displayed communication setting is not input, the operator selects the [Cancel] button. If the [Cancel] button is selected, the screen returns to the screen in Figure 3B . In a case where the displayed communication setting is to be input, the operator selects the [OK] button. If the [OK] button is selected, generation processing of the communication setting to be stored in the digital camera 100 is started. If the processing is completed, the screen is switched to the screen in Figure 3D . The generation processing of the communication setting will be described below.

[0047] Figure 3D The content 304 of the communication setting generated by the communication setting generation processing (described below) is shown. The generated communication setting is stored in the nonvolatile memory 103 of the digital camera 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 3C , an input check screen is displayed to the operator, but the digital camera 100 can start the communication setting generation processing after the communication setting file is selected on the screen in Figure 3B , without displaying the check screen, and then the screen can be switched to the screen in Figure 3D . Further, in a case where the operator does not need to select the communication setting file, for example, in a case where only one communication setting file is stored in the recording medium 110, the display of the list of the communication setting files in Figure 3B may be omitted.

[0048] <Generation of Communication Setting>

[0049] The following will be described: a communication setting to be stored in the digital camera 100 is generated using the communication setting parameters obtained from the input communication setting file. To generate the communication setting, the parameters are converted using a conversion table of the authentication method in Figure 4A or Figure 4B The conversion table differs according to the specifications of the authentication method and the product specifications of the digital camera to which the communication setting is input. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Examples of the conversion table in the digital camera 100 that can use WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 are shown.

[0050] Figure 4A The conversion table in

[0051] If WPA3 can be used while maintaining compatibility with the communication setting before conversion, the conversion table in Figure 4B The conversion table in

[0052] The password usable for WPA-Personal and WPA2-Personal is also usable for WPA3-Personal. For this reason, in the present exemplary embodiment, no check and conversion of the password is performed.

[0053] Finally, the communication setting is generated using the authentication method converted by using the conversion table and the other parameters read from the communication setting file.

[0054] <Operation of Digital Camera>

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100. Hereinafter, the operation process of the digital camera 100 from input of a communication setting file to storage of a communication setting according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5 Here, the communication setting file is stored in the recording medium 110 in advance, and the recording medium 110 is inserted into the digital camera 100.

[0056] In step S501, the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 reads the communication setting file stored in the recording medium 110. The communication setting file to be read can be selected by the operator as shown in Figure 3B When the control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 reads the communication setting file, the process proceeds to step S502.

[0057] In step S502, the control unit 101 extracts parameters from the read communication setting file. The control unit 101 checks the read communication setting file for data corruption or all necessary parameters using a checksum. In the case where no error is detected, the control unit 101 determines that the extraction of parameters is successfully completed ("Yes" in step S502), and the process proceeds to step S503. In the case where the extraction of parameters fails ("No" in step S502), the process ends.

[0058] In step S503, the control unit 101 generates a communication setting using the extracted parameters. Then, the control unit 101 displays the generated communication setting as shown in Figure 3C and the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the control unit 101 prompts the operator to confirm whether to continue the input process of the generated communication setting. In the case where the input process is to be continued ("Yes" in step S504), the process proceeds to step S505. In the case where the input process is not to be continued ("No" in step S504), the process ends. The processes in step S503 and step S504 can be omitted, and the process can proceed from step S502 to step S505.

[0059] In step S505, the control unit 101 determines whether the parameter of the authentication method extracted can be converted by using the conversion table in Figure 4A or Figure 4B If the parameter of the authentication method extracted is described in the "Before Conversion" column in Figure 4A or Figure 4B , the conversion can be performed. If it can be ("Yes" in step S505), the process proceeds to step S506. If it cannot be ("No" in step S505), the process proceeds to step S507. In step S506, the parameter of the authentication method extracted is converted intoFigure 4A or Figure 4B the "after conversion" column in the table. After the conversion, the process proceeds to step S507.

[0060] In step S507, the control unit 101 generates a communication setting by using the authentication method parameter selected in step S505 or step S506 and other parameters extracted from the communication setting file. Then, the control unit 101 stores the communication setting in the nonvolatile memory 103 of the digital camera 100. Finally, the control unit 101 displays the stored communication setting on the display unit 106 as shown in FIG. 6B, and the process ends. Figure 3D

[0061] In the present exemplary embodiment, a method of converting an authentication method extracted from a read communication setting file to an authentication method having a higher security strength using a conversion table is described. As described above, when a communication setting is read in a digital camera that can use a communication method having a higher security strength than the communication setting written in the communication setting file, a communication method having a higher security strength can be used. Further, as described above, the conversion table is designed based on a communication specification and a product specification. In the case where the conversion table in Figure 4B

[0062] In the first exemplary embodiment, a method of converting an authentication method extracted from a communication setting file using a conversion table is described. In the authentication method according to the first exemplary embodiment, as a communication specification, a password is not required to be checked. Therefore, a password checking process is not performed. However, in the future, it is envisaged that a kind of authentication method having a higher security strength can be developed, in which a password of an authentication method before conversion is not available. In the case where a communication setting file is read by a digital camera supporting an authentication method having a higher security strength, it is required to check whether a password in the communication setting file is available for an authentication method after conversion. Further, in the case where a number of characters, available characters, or a combination of characters is limited to a product specification of a digital camera, a password is required to be checked. Therefore, in the second exemplary embodiment, a method of checking whether a password extracted from a communication setting file is available after checking whether an authentication method can be converted by using a conversion table will be described.

[0063] The configuration of the digital camera 100 and the communication setting file 200 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0064] <Generation of Communication Setting>

[0065] ​​A method of generating a communication setting to be stored in the digital camera 100 by using the communication setting parameter obtained from the input setting file will be described. To generate the communication setting, the parameter is converted using the conversion table of the authentication method shown in Figure 6A or Figure 6B The conversion table of the digital camera 100 that can use WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 is shown as an example. Figure 6A and Figure 6B The conversion table in

[0066] Figure 6A and Figure 6B is generated by adding the password specification columns ("Password Length" column and "Available Password Characters" column) available in the converted authentication method to the conversion table in Figure 4A and Figure 4B Similarly to the first example embodiment, the control unit 101 checks whether the password extracted from the communication setting file is available according to the password specification columns in each conversion table after checking whether the authentication method extracted from the communication setting file can be converted.

[0067] <Operation of Digital Camera>

[0068] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100. Hereinafter, the operation process of the digital camera 100 from inputting the communication setting file to storing the communication setting according to the present example embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7 Here, the communication setting file is stored in the recording medium 110 in advance, and the recording medium 110 is inserted into the digital camera 100.

[0069] The processing in steps S701 to S705 is similar to that in steps S501 to S505 in Figure 5 , and thus the description thereof is omitted. In step S706, the control unit 101 checks whether the extracted password is available for the converted authentication method by using the conversion table in Figure 6A or Figure 6B The control unit 101 checks whether the password length of the extracted password is within the range of the password length in the conversion table and whether the characters used in the extracted password correspond to the available password characters in the conversion table. If both of these conditions are satisfied, the control unit 101 determines that the password extracted from the communication setting file is available for the converted authentication method. If it is available (YES in step S706), the processing proceeds to step S707. If it is not available (NO in step S706), the processing proceeds to step S708. The processing in steps S707 and S708 is similar to that in Figure 5The processes in steps S506 and S507 are omitted from the description.

[0070] In this exemplary embodiment, a method is described that takes passwords into account when transforming authentication methods extracted from communication settings files. Therefore, it is possible to generate communication settings that do not conflict with communication specifications and product specifications regarding the combination of authentication methods and passwords.

[0071] In the first and second exemplary embodiments, a method for converting an authentication method extracted from a communication settings file into an authentication method with higher security strength within the range of available extracted passwords was described. However, using this method, it is impossible to convert an authentication method extracted from a communication settings file into an authentication method that requires a password change. Furthermore, this method cannot address use cases where an operator expects to use a read communication settings file that remains unchanged. Therefore, in the third exemplary embodiment, a camera device (digital camera) will be described that, after reading the communication settings file, displays a screen to the operator to check whether the authentication method or password needs to be changed, thereby generating communication settings.

[0072] The construction of the digital camera 100 and the communication setup file 200 is similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, their detailed description is omitted.

[0073] Operating a Digital Camera

[0074] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the digital camera 100. In the following text, reference will be made to... Figure 8 This describes the operation process of a digital camera 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, from inputting a communication settings file to storing the communication settings. Here, the communication settings file is pre-stored in a recording medium 110, and the recording medium 110 is inserted into the digital camera 100.

[0075] The processing of steps S801 to S805 is similar to Figure 5 The processes in steps S501 to S505 are therefore omitted from description. In step S806, the control unit 101 displays the following to the operator: Figure 9A The screen in the middle (receiving screen) is used to receive instructions on whether to change the authentication method. For example, in step S505, using... Figure 6A or Figure 6B Use the conversion table in the text to select the changed authentication method displayed on the screen from the column of converted authentication methods. At this point, in... Figure 6A and Figure 6BIn a case where the authentication method written in the communication setting file is not present in the column of the authentication method before the conversion in the table, the authentication method having the highest security strength that the digital camera 100 can use is displayed. In a case where the authentication method is to be changed, the operator selects the [Yes] button. In a case where the authentication method is not to be changed, the operator selects the [No] button.

[0076] In a case where the authentication method is to be changed (Yes in step S806), the process proceeds to step S807. In a case where the authentication method is not to be changed (No in step S806), the process proceeds to step S811. In step S807, as in step S706, the control unit 101 checks whether the password is available by using the conversion table. If it is available (Yes in step S807), the process proceeds to step S810. If it is not available (No in step S807), the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, the control unit 101 displays the screen as in Figure 9B in order to prompt the operator to input the password to be changed. When the operator selects the password input box 901, the control unit 101 displays an input section such as a software keyboard on the screen to prompt the operator to input the password. At this time, the control unit 101 checks whether the password input by the operator is available for the changed authentication method. The items to be checked are the password length and the available password characters. In a case where the available password is input, the screen returns to Figure 9B in step S806. In a case where the operator uses the input password, the operator selects the [OK] button. When the operator selects the [OK] button, the process proceeds to step S808. In a case where the operator does not use the input password, the operator presses the [Cancel] button to end the process.

[0077] In step S809, the control unit 101 changes the authentication method to the authentication method changed and confirmed in step S806 and changes the password to the password input in step S808 among the parameters extracted from the communication setting file 200. The process in steps S810 and S811 is similar to the process in steps S707 and S708, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0078] The present application has been described above based on exemplary embodiments. However, the present application is not limited to these exemplary embodiments and includes various embodiments within the scope of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Further, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, as a method of importing the communication setting file, a recording medium is used. However, the communication setting file can be obtained through communication with an external device.

[0079] Other Embodiments

[0080] Embodiments of the present application can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes on a computer executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which can also be referred to more fully as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and / or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing on a computer executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The computer can comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs), micro processing units (MPUs)) and can include a computer or a plurality of computers or a plurality of processors or a plurality of MPUs, and can read out and execute the computer executable instruction from the storage medium. The storage medium can comprise one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)®), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. The computer executable instruction can be provided to a computer by, for example, a communication network or a storage medium. TM

[0081] Embodiments of the present application can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes on a computer executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which can also be referred to more fully as a 'non-transitory computer-readable storage medium') to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and / or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing on a computer executable instruction (e.g., one or more programs) from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments. The computer can comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing units (CPUs), micro processing units (MPUs)) and can include a computer or a plurality of computers or a plurality of processors or a plurality of MPUs, and can read out and execute the computer executable instruction from the storage medium. The storage medium can comprise one or more of a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)®), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. The computer executable instruction can be provided to a computer by, for example, a communication network or a storage medium.

[0082] While the present application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the widest scope under the law.​

Claims

1. A communication apparatus configured to function as a client configured to participate in a network established by an access point and to perform wireless communication via the network, comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire file data including a communication setting including an authentication method parameter for wireless communication; a conversion unit configured to, in a case where the authentication method parameter included in the communication setting obtained by analyzing the file data acquired by the acquisition unit indicates that a first authentication method is available and a second authentication method is not available, the second authentication method having a higher security strength than the first authentication method, convert the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, a nonvolatile memory configured to, in a case where the conversion by the conversion unit is performed, store a converted second communication setting including, as the authentication method parameter, the authentication method parameter converted by the conversion unit and not including the authentication method parameter included in the communication setting, including, as the SSID, an SSID included in the communication setting and not including another SSID different from the SSID included in the communication setting, and including, as the password, a password included in the communication setting and not including another password different from the password included in the communication setting; and a connection unit configured to, in a case where the authentication method parameter of the converted second communication setting stored in the nonvolatile memory indicates that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, attempt a connection process to the access point using the second authentication method based on the converted second communication setting, and configured to, in a case where the connection process using the second authentication method fails, attempt a connection process to the access point using the first authentication method.

2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The communication apparatus is a digital still camera including a release switch including a first switch configured to detect a half-press state and a second switch configured to detect a full-press state, wherein the connection unit transmits, to an external apparatus, image data captured according to a user instruction to place the release switch in the full-press state, using a communication method via the access point connected as a result of the attempted connection process and the communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

3. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the password included in the communication setting acquired by the acquisition unit supports the second authentication method, wherein, in a case where the determination unit determines that the password included in the communication setting acquired by the acquisition unit supports the second authentication method, the conversion unit converts the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available.

4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a display unit configured to, in a case where the determination unit determines that the password included in the communication settings acquired by the acquisition unit does not support the second authentication method, perform display to prompt an operator to change the password.

5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reception unit configured to, in a case where an authentication method parameter included in the communication settings acquired by the acquisition unit indicates that the first authentication method is available and the second authentication method is not available, receive an instruction on whether to convert the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, wherein the conversion unit converts the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available in response to the instruction received by the reception unit.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein, the first authentication method is WPA or WPA2, and the second authentication method is WPA3, where WPA is Wi-Fi Protected Access.

7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the communication settings by reading the communication settings from a memory card.

8. A control method of a communication apparatus configured to function as a client configured to participate in a network established by an access point and perform wireless communication via the network, the control method comprising: acquiring file data including communication settings including an authentication method parameter for wireless communication; in a case where the authentication method parameter included in the communication settings obtained by analyzing the acquired file data indicates that a first authentication method is available and a second authentication method is not available, the second authentication method having a higher security strength than the first authentication method, converting the authentication method parameter into an authentication method parameter indicating that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, in a case where the conversion is performed, storing a converted second communication setting in a nonvolatile memory of the communication apparatus, the converted second communication setting including the converted authentication method parameter as the authentication method parameter and not including the authentication method parameter included in the communication settings, including an SSID included in the communication settings as the SSID and not including another SSID different from the SSID included in the communication settings, and including a password included in the communication settings as the password and not including a password different from the password included in the communication settings; and in a case where the authentication method parameter of the stored converted second communication setting indicates that both the first authentication method and the second authentication method are available, attempting a connection process to the access point using the second authentication method based on the converted second communication setting, and in a case where the connection process using the second authentication method fails, attempting a connection process to the access point using the first authentication method.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as the units according to claim 1.

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