Communication apparatus, method for controlling communication apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus that can actuate a plurality of STA functions in parallel, and when executing communication parameter automatic settings, can improve the convenience for a user, a method for controlling the same, and a program.SOLUTION: In a communication system in which a communication apparatus that is a printer operating as a STA and a communication apparatus operating as an AP that is a wireless base station (master station) form a wireless network, and a plurality of smart devices actuate AP functions to form another wireless network and communicate with the STA, the communication apparatus having the plurality of STA (station) functions actuates the plurality of STA functions exclusively, executes processing of sharing parameters necessary for connection to the AP (access point), acquires information on the plurality of STA functions, selects the STA function used for the sharing processing according to the information acquired by acquisition means, and connects to the AP based on the parameters shared by using the STA function selected by selection means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to setting communication parameters in a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in wireless communication devices compatible with the IEEE802.11 standard and the Wi-Fi standard, a technology has been proposed that allows a station (hereinafter, STA) function and an access point (hereinafter, AP) function to operate in parallel. The STA function allows connection to an external AP, and the AP function allows connection to an external STA.

[0003] Similarly, a technique has been proposed for operating multiple STA functions in parallel, which allows multiple STA functions to connect to multiple different external APs.

[0004] One method for running multiple STA functions in parallel on a single communications device is to install and operate multiple RF (Radio Frequency) circuits for each STA function. In contrast, a technology has been proposed that realizes multiple STA functions by operating multiple STA interfaces exclusively in time series as virtual interfaces on a single RF circuit. Since multiple STA functions can be realized with only one RF circuit, this has a cost advantage over installing multiple RF circuits.

[0005] In addition, the Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard (hereinafter, WPS) and the Wi-Fi DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) standard (hereinafter, DPP) have been developed as technologies for automatically setting communication parameters for accessing a wireless network (hereinafter, referred to as automatic communication parameter setting).

[0006] In WPS, communication parameters are provided from a device with a parameter provision function called a registrar to a device with a parameter acceptance function called an enrollee through processing defined in the WPS protocol between an AP and a STA. The registrar function may be included within the AP, or may be possessed by an external device connected to the AP. The enrollee function is a function possessed internally by the STA. The communication parameters provided are communication parameters for accessing the wireless network set up by the AP. For example, these include the SSID (Service Set IDentifier) ​​of the wireless network set up by the AP and a passphrase for generating an encryption key used to encrypt and decrypt data for communication over the air.

[0007] DPP stipulates that a device called a configurator provides communication parameters to a device called an enrollee using information shared in advance called bootstrap information. Patent Document 1 discloses that frequency information is added to the bootstrap information included in a two-dimensional code depending on whether or not the device is connected to an AP. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-37978 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Consider a case where automatic communication parameter setting is performed in a wireless communication device in a configuration where multiple STA functions are operated in parallel. In this case, it is necessary to select which communication interface is to be used to perform automatic communication parameter setting from among multiple communication interfaces capable of executing the STA functions. If the user is allowed to select which communication interface is to be used to perform automatic communication parameter setting, the user himself must be aware of the communication interface when making the selection, which reduces convenience for users who are unfamiliar with the operation.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve user convenience when automatic communication parameter configuration is performed in a communication device capable of operating multiple STA functions in parallel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the communication device of the present invention is characterized in that it has multiple STA functions, a control means for operating the multiple STA functions exclusively, an execution means for executing a sharing process of parameters necessary for connecting to an AP, an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the multiple STA functions, a selection means for selecting a STA function to be used in the sharing process in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition means, and a connection means for connecting to the AP based on the parameters shared using the STA function selected by the selection means. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In a communication device that operates a plurality of STA functions in parallel, user convenience is improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] Hardware configuration diagram of communication device 101 [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the communication device 101. [Figure 4] Flowchart showing a process for selecting a communication interface [Diagram 5] Sequence diagram of the embodiment [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not necessarily limit the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0015] In the following, an example of a wireless LAN system compatible with the IEEE802.11 standard will be described. In addition to the IEEE802.11 standard series, other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, Zigbee, and MBOA may be supported. Here, UWB is an acronym for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA is an acronym for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Incidentally, OFDM is an acronym for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. Also, NFC is an acronym for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus), wireless 1394, and the like. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, all of these features are not necessarily essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are given to the same or similar configurations, and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0016] In the following embodiments, a connection means a state in which signals and data can be transmitted and received, and means the establishment of a line or transmission path (link) that enables communication between a pair of communication devices.

[0017] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an example will be described in which communication between devices is performed by wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a network in this embodiment. The network in this embodiment is a network including communication devices that operate in accordance with the Wi-Fi DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol) standard. In FIG. 1, a communication device 101 is a printer that operates as an STA. A communication device 111 operates as an access point (AP) that is a wireless base station (parent station) and forms a wireless network 131. Communication devices 121 and 122 are smart devices. Here, the communication device 121 operates an AP function, forms a wireless network 132, and can connect to an STA. In addition, the communication device 101 and the communication devices 121 and 122 can implement communication parameter setting by DPP. In DPP, the communication devices 121 and 122 are configurators that provide communication parameters, and the communication device 101 is an enrollee that receives the communication parameters. In this embodiment, the communication device 121 operates as a configurator, and the wireless network 132 that the communication device 121 forms with the AP function is a wireless network that is connected using DPP. The communication device 101 may be a configurator, and the communication devices 121 and 122 may be enrollees. The wireless network 141 is a wide area network (hereinafter, WAN). The wireless network 131 formed by the communication device 111 is connected to the WAN 141 with the communication device 111 as a gateway.

[0019] The communication device 101 can selectively connect to the communication devices 111, 121, and 122. In this embodiment, a connection using DPP between the communication device 101 and the communication device 121 will be described. The same processing is performed when the communication device 101 and the communication device 122 use DPP. Although the case where the communication device 101 performs DPP using the first STA functional unit 242 will be described, the same processing is performed when the second STA functional unit 243 is used.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the communication device 101. The communication device 101 has a power supply unit 201, an input unit 211, an output unit 221, a control unit 231, a wireless LAN function unit 241, a first STA function unit 242 and a second STA function unit 243 included in the wireless LAN function unit 241, an antenna 244, a short-range communication unit 251, and a storage unit 261. The first STA function unit 242 and the second STA function unit 243 are configured to operate multiple STA functions using one RF circuit as the wireless LAN function unit 241, and operate by controlling the STA functions exclusively in time series. In this embodiment, a unit of STA function in a communication device that operates multiple STA functions is called a communication interface. Each communication interface operates using a different MAC address. In this embodiment, the wireless LAN function unit 241 exclusively controls each STA function unit, but it may be configured to have a control unit different from the wireless LAN function unit 241 as a separate STA function control unit.

[0021] Antenna 244 may be, for example, two types of antennas capable of communication in each frequency band, such as an antenna capable of communication at 2.4 GHz and an antenna capable of communication at 5 GHz, or a single shared antenna capable of communication in multiple frequency bands.

[0022] The short-distance communication unit 251 controls short-distance wireless communication such as Near Field Communication (hereinafter referred to as NFC) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0023] A power supply unit 201 supplies power to each piece of hardware. The power supply unit 201 obtains power from, for example, an AC power source or a battery.

[0024] The input unit 211 receives various operations from the user, including, for example, buttons.

[0025] The output unit 221 performs various outputs to the user. Here, the output by the output unit 221 is, for example, a display on an LED or a display on a screen, a sound output by a speaker, a vibration output, etc. Note that both the input unit 211 and the output unit 221 may be realized by one module, such as a touch panel. In the present embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that input and output are performed using a touch panel.

[0026] The first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243 perform wireless LAN control conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, transmit and receive radio waves, and connect to an AP and a communication device operating an AP function. The communication device 101 is configured to operate two STA functions in parallel, and can connect to up to two APs or communication devices operating an AP function. Furthermore, the first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243 are also equipped with a wireless communication setting protocol based on DPP.

[0027] The control unit 231 is configured with a processor such as a CPU or an MPU, and controls the entire communication device 101 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 261 .

[0028] The storage unit 261 is configured with memories such as ROM and RAM, and stores programs for performing various processes described below and various types of information.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of the process executed by the communication device 101. Hereinafter, each step (process) is represented by adding an S before the reference numeral. In S301, the communication device 101 starts the process shown in the flowchart in Fig. 3 based on an instruction obtained when the user operates the input unit 211 to select a setting menu.

[0030] In S302, the communication apparatus 101 selects a communication interface for executing the process of setting communication parameters based on the DPP. The communication interface selection process will be described in detail later.

[0031] In S303, the communication device 101 uses either the first STA functional unit 242 or the second STA functional unit 243 selected in S302 to share bootstrap information with the communication device 121 operating as a configurator.

[0032] The communication device 101 outputs bootstrap information including the MAC address of the selected communication interface. In this embodiment, the bootstrap information is output by displaying it as a QR code (registered trademark) on the output unit 221. The method of outputting the bootstrap information is not limited to displaying the QR code, and the bootstrap information may be notified to other communication devices (such as the communication devices 121 and 122) via short-distance wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark) by the short-distance communication unit 234. In addition, the bootstrap information for each communication interface may be generated in advance for each of a plurality of communication interfaces, and may be selected and output from the storage unit 251. In addition, the bootstrap information may be generated in S302 and output when the communication interface is selected. The bootstrap information includes public key information, MAC address, channel information, and frequency band information of the wireless network. In addition, when selecting a method of bootstrap, if the device has an external connection communication unit that is easy to display, it may be determined that the bootstrap is performed using a QR code (registered trademark).

[0033] In S304, the communication device 101 performs authentication processing. First, in order to perform authentication processing, the communication device 101 waits for an authentication request transmitted by the communication device 121. Here, the "authentication request" is a DPP_Authentication_Request frame conforming to the DPP standard. Note that, if the authentication request is not received within a predetermined time from the start of waiting for the authentication request in S303, the communication parameter reception processing may be terminated. Also, the authentication request includes authentication information used in the authentication processing, identification information of the communication device 121, a random number generated by the communication device 121, and a public key for shared key generation used to generate a shared key (public key of the communication device 121). Note that the shared key is used when encrypting the random number for authentication. Here, the "authentication information" is specifically a hash value of the public key for authentication of the communication device 101 included in the QR code. Also, the identification information of the communication device 121 is a hash value of the public key for authentication. Also, the random number is used for authentication when receiving an authentication response described later.

[0034] The communication device 101 that has received the authentication request performs a process of verifying the device that has sent the authentication request. The verification process is determined using authentication information included in the authentication request. That is, the communication device 101 calculates a hash value of the authentication public key of the communication device 101, compares the calculated hash value with a hash value (authentication information) included in the authentication request, and determines that the verification has been successful if the two match. The hash function used to calculate the hash value at this time is defined in the DPP standard and is the same as the hash function used by the communication device 121 to calculate the hash value. If the verification is successful, the communication device 101 generates a shared key using both the public key for generating a shared key of the communication device 121 and the private key for generating a shared key of the communication device 101. The shared key is generated based on, for example, the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) method. The method of generating the shared key is not limited to the ECDH method, and may be another public key cryptography method. Then, the communication device 101 transmits an authentication response. If the verification fails, the communication device 101 does not transmit an authentication response. However, instead of this, if the verification fails, the communication device 101 may transmit an authentication response indicating that the verification fails. Here, the "authentication response" is a DPP_Authentication_Response frame conforming to the DPP standard. The authentication response includes a public key for generating a shared key of the communication device 101, a random number generated by the communication device 101, and tag information. Note that the tag information is a hash value using a random number or the like included in the authentication request transmitted by the communication device 121, encrypted by the above-mentioned shared key. The tag information is used for authentication processing in the communication device 121. The communication device 101 that transmitted the authentication response waits for an authentication confirmation transmitted by the communication device 121. Note that the time for waiting for the authentication confirmation may be a predetermined time from the transmission of the authentication response. Here, the "authentication confirmation" is a DPP_Authentication_Confirm frame conforming to the DPP standard, and includes tag information. The tag information is a random number included in the authentication response sent by the communication device 101, which is encrypted by the communication device 121 using a shared key.

[0035] In S305, when the authentication process is completed, the communication device 101 transmits a configuration request to the configurator, that is, the communication device 121. Here, the "configuration request" is a DPP_Configuration_Request frame that complies with the DPP standard.

[0036] In S306, communication device 101 receives a configuration response from communication device 121, which is a configurator. Here, the "configuration response" is a DPP_Configuration_Response frame that complies with the DPP standard. The configuration response transmitted by communication device 121 includes communication parameters, a validity period for the communication parameters, a public key dedicated to the configurator of communication device 121, role information, and provided channel information. Note that the communication parameters include a public key included in the authentication response from communication device 101, in addition to credentials that comply with the DPP standard. Furthermore, the information included in the configuration response is encrypted with a shared key generated in communication device 121. Communication device 101 that has received the configuration response decrypts the information included in the configuration response with the shared key.

[0037] In S307, the communication device 101 connects to the wireless network formed by the communication device 121 based on the communication parameters obtained by decryption.

[0038] In S308, the communication device 101 shares the communication parameters received from the configurator by setting the communication parameters between the STA functions so that the STA function unit 231 and the second STA function unit 232 can each use the communication parameters.

[0039] For example, when a connection is made by executing the DPP using the first STA functional unit 242, information on the AP connected to using the first STA functional unit 242 may be displayed on a UI for selecting a connection destination using the second STA functional unit 243. In addition, in consideration of the fact that the first STA functional unit 242 has already been connected, even if a connection is possible using the second STA functional unit 243, control may be performed so that the AP is not selected as a connection destination, thereby preventing duplicate connection to a partner device.

[0040] Furthermore, when the first STA functional unit 242 is used to execute DPP for connection, the shared Connector information may be shared with the second STA functional unit 243, and when the second STA functional unit 243 is connected, the communication parameter setting process by DPP may be skipped and the connection process by the Network Introduction process may be performed. When the Connector information is shared, the MAC address may not be included in the bootstrap information. By not including the MAC address, the communication interface that operates as the enrollee is not fixed, so that the Connector information can be shared by each communication interface. The Connector information includes group information, role information, network access key, and expiration date of the network access key. The group information is group information of the DPP network in which the communication device that transmits the Connector information can participate. The role information is information on which role the communication device that transmits the Connector information operates as, STA, AP, or Configurator, on the DPP network. The network access key is key information used for connection processing in the Network Introduction process. The expiration date of the network access key is information on the expiration date during which the network access key can be used. Network Introduction processing is a connection process in which enrollees connect to each other based on Connector information. For example, it is a connection process in which a communication device whose role in the role information mentioned above is AP connects to a communication device whose role is STA. When connecting using the DPP protocol, the STA sends a PeerDiscoveryRequest including its own device's Connector information to the AP to which it is to connect. The AP that receives the PeerDiscoveryRequest checks the STA's Connector information included in the PeerDiscoveryRequest. If it determines that the opposing STA is a valid STA using information such as the network access key included in the Connector information, it sends a PeerDiscoveryResponse including its own device's Connector information to the STA.Similarly, the STA also judges whether the AP is a legitimate AP based on the AP's Connector information. After that, the STA and AP send and receive Authentication frames, which are the authentication process, and establish a connection using Association Request and Association Response.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of the communication interface selection process S302 for executing communication parameter setting by DPP in the communication device 101. Note that, in this embodiment, the flowchart in Fig. 4 is described as a flowchart executed by a program stored in the storage unit 261, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0042] In S401, the first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243 determine whether or not there is an unconnected communication interface that is not connected to an external AP. Note that even if the communication interface is not connected to an AP, it may be determined that the communication interface undergoing connection processing is not an unconnected communication interface. If there is an unconnected communication interface, the process proceeds to S405, and if there is no unconnected communication interface, the process proceeds to S402.

[0043] In S402, each communication interface of the first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243 is in a connected state to the AP. When performing communication parameter setting by DPP in this state, a display may be displayed on the UI so that the user can select which communication interface to use to connect to the AP. In this case, to make it easier for the user to identify the communication interface, information on the currently connected AP may be displayed to allow the user to select. Then, the process proceeds to S403.

[0044] In S403, it is determined whether or not the user selected a communication interface in S402. If the user selected a communication interface, the process proceeds to S407, and if not, the process proceeds to S404.

[0045] In S404, if the user has not selected a communication interface, it is determined that there is no communication interface capable of implementing DPP, and the communication interface selection process ends. In this case, an error message may be displayed on the UI, and the DPP process itself may be terminated.

[0046] In S405, it is determined whether there are multiple communication interfaces not connected to the external AP. For example, in this embodiment, this is the case when both the first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243 are not connected to the AP, and the communication interface not connected to the AP cannot be uniquely identified. If there are multiple communication interfaces not connected to the AP, proceed to S408, and if the communication interface not connected to the AP is limited to only one, proceed to S406.

[0047] In S406, a communication interface not connected to the AP is selected, and the process proceeds to S407. For example, in this embodiment, when the first STA functional unit 242 is in a connected state with the AP 111 and the second STA functional unit 243 is in a not connected state with the AP, the second STA functional unit 243 is selected as a communication interface for implementing the DPP.

[0048] In S407, the communication interface selected in the previous step is determined as the communication interface for executing the DPP.

[0049] In S408, there are a plurality of communication interfaces not connected to the AP, and in this case, the priority information is referred to. The priority information is described as information stored in advance in the storage unit 261. The priority information is information specifying the priority of the communication interface selected in advance by the user, and is stored in the storage unit 251. The priority information may not be a priority predetermined by the user, but may be information that prioritizes a communication interface that controls a frequency band with a less congested environment. Alternatively, the priority information may be information based on information on which frequency band is to be prioritized for connection, with settings such as using the first STA functional unit 242 in the 2.4 GHz band and using the second STA functional unit 243 in the 5 GHz band being set in advance. For example, the information may be information that prioritizes connection to the 5 GHz band based on communication speed information such as communication in the 5 GHz band being faster. The priority information is not limited to this, and may be information used to select the first STA functional unit 242 and the second STA functional unit 243.

[0050] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which a communication interface is automatically selected by a program, but the user may be allowed to select whether to manually select a communication interface or to have the communication interface automatically selected.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram of the connection between the communication device 101 and the communication device 121. In FIG.

[0052] The communication device 101 and the communication device 121 start the DPP process upon receiving an instruction to receive parameters from the user (S501, S502). The communication device 101 selects a communication interface for executing the DPP based on the communication interface selection process S302, displays bootstrap information including the MAC address information of the selected communication interface as a QR code via the output unit 221, and waits for an authentication request. The QR code may be displayed by the output unit 221 included in the communication device 101, or by an output unit included in an external device. If the authentication request cannot be received within a predetermined time, the waiting for the authentication request may be terminated. Also, if the communication device 101 does not have a display or the like for displaying the QR code, and the QR code is printed on a label or the like attached to the case or an accessory, S504 is skipped (S503, S504). When the communication device 121 receives a parameter setting instruction from the user (S502), it activates the imaging unit to capture an image of a QR code displayed by the communication device 101 (or printed on a label or the like) (S505). Then, the imaging unit of the communication device 121 captures the image of the QR code, and the communication device 121 acquires information indicated by the QR code (S506). The method of outputting the bootstrap information is not limited to displaying the QR code, and the bootstrap information may be notified to other communication devices (communication devices 121, 122, etc.) via short-range wireless communication such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark) by the short-range communication unit 234. In this case, S504 and S505 are skipped, and S506 is performed by short-range communication.

[0053] The communication device 121 that has acquired the information indicated by the QR code generates and transmits an authentication request, and the communication device 101 receives this authentication request (S507). The communication device 101 verifies the contents of the received authentication request (S508). If it is determined that the communication device 121 that transmitted the authentication request is the device that captured the image of the QR code, the communication device 101 generates and transmits an authentication response (S509). Having transmitted the authentication response to the communication device 121, the communication device 101 waits for an authentication confirmation to be transmitted from the communication device 121.

[0054] Upon receiving the authentication response, communication device 121 verifies the contents of the authentication response (S510). If communication device 121 determines that the authentication is successful, it transmits an authentication confirmation to communication device 101 (S511). Upon receiving the authentication confirmation from communication device 121 in S511, communication device 101 verifies the contents of the authentication confirmation (S512). If communication device 101 is able to correctly decrypt tag information using a shared key generated by itself, communication device 101 determines that authentication is successful. If communication device 101 determines that authentication is successful, it transmits a setting request to request communication parameters (S513) and waits for a setting response to be transmitted from communication device 121.

[0055] The communication device 121 that has received the setting request transmits a setting response including the communication parameters (S514). The communication device 101 that has received the setting response connects to the wireless network 132 formed by the communication device 121 based on the communication parameters included in the setting response (S515).

[0056] In this embodiment, the communication device 121 is connected to the wireless network 132 formed by using the AP function, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to a case where the communication device 121 connects to a network formed by another AP or a communication device having the AP function. In this case, the communication device 121, which is a configurator, forms a wireless network for sharing communication parameters by DPP, and exchanges Connector information including the communication parameters with the enrollee.

[0057] 6 shows an example of how the user interface transitions. In display 601, it is assumed that communication device 101 is not connected to any of communication devices 111, 121, and 122. Display 601 is displayed when the user operates output unit 221 and input unit 211 to select a setting menu. On the "Communication settings" screen, "Wireless LAN settings" is displayed as a setting menu. When the user selects "Wireless LAN settings" here, a transition to display 602 occurs.

[0058] Display 602 shows a "Settings method" screen with setting menus of "Manual setting," "WPS," and "DPP." "Manual setting" allows the user to manually set the Service Set Identifier (hereinafter, SSID) and passphrase required for wireless connection. "WPS" stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup, and like DPP, is a wireless communication setting protocol. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected "DPP" on display 602.

[0059] Display 603 is a "method selection" screen with a setting menu of "two-dimensional code", "NFC", and "Bluetooth". "Method selection" is for selecting the DPP bootstrapping method. Two-dimensional code represents bootstrapping using a QR code. Here, it is assumed that "two-dimensional code" has been selected by the user in display 603. Note that when "NFC" or "Bluetooth" is selected, bootstrapping is performed by short-range wireless communication using short-range communication unit 234.

[0060] Display 604 displays the bootstrapping information as a QR code (registered trademark). DPP processing is started when communication device 121 or communication device 122 reads this QR code. In this case, communication device 121 or communication device 122 becomes a configurator that provides communication parameters, and communication device 101 becomes an enrollee that receives the communication parameters.

[0061] In display 605, DPP processing is performed between the communication device 121 or the communication device 122 using the first STA functional unit 242 or the second STA functional unit 243, and a display appears indicating that processing is in progress. Which communication interface is selected, the first STA functional unit 242 or the second STA functional unit 243, is determined by the above-mentioned communication interface selection process S302. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the first STA functional unit 242 is selected.

[0062] In display 606, when a wireless connection between communication device 121 or communication device 122 is completed using first STA functional unit 242, a message indicating that the connection has been completed is displayed. Note that the display may be such that the user can identify which communication interface, first STA functional unit 242 or second STA functional unit 243, has completed the connection. For example, the information of the AP to which the connection is made is displayed together with the identification information of the communication interface. The AP information may be the device name or SSID, etc., as long as it is information that can identify the AP. In this embodiment, the information of communication device 121 is displayed.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the screen on which the user selects the communication interface in S402 described above.

[0064] In S402, when the communication interfaces of both the first STA function unit 242 and the second STA function unit 243 are in a connected state to the AP, the communication interfaces are displayed on the input and output units so that the user can select which communication interface to use to implement DPP.

[0065] Display 701 indicates that the communication device 101 is connected to the communication device 122 operating with the AP function via the first STA functional unit 242. Similarly, it indicates that the communication device 101 is connected to the AP 111 via the second STA functional unit 243. The display may be displayed as text or as an icon. The user may be allowed to select which communication interface to use for implementing DPP. At that time, the user may be notified that implementing DPP will result in disconnection from the currently connected AP. Also, information on the currently connected AP (e.g., SSID information) may be displayed in association with the communication board face so that the user can identify the communication interface. If the selection of the communication interface is cancelled, as in the case of "Cancel" in the figure, the process may proceed to S404.

[0066] Although the present embodiment has been described above in the case where DPP is used for communication parameter setting, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to the case where WPS is used for communication parameter setting. When WPS is implemented, processing of a flowchart equivalent to that of FIG. 3 is performed, and WPS processing start is received in the same manner as DPP processing start is received in S301. Then, as in S302, a communication interface for executing WPS is selected. The communication interface is selected by processing equivalent to that of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. After the communication interface is selected in a step equivalent to S302, WPS processing is performed using the communication interface selected in accordance with the WPS protocol.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to WPS and can be similarly applied to other automatic communication parameter settings.

[0068] In this embodiment, in the flowchart of Fig. 4, it is determined whether or not the AP is not connected in S401 or S405, but this is not limited to the above. For example, it may also be determined whether or not automatic communication parameter setting is being performed. For example, assume that automatic communication parameter setting is newly performed in a state where automatic communication parameter setting has already been started in the first STA functional unit 242. In this case, the second STA functional unit 243, which is not connected to the AP and has not yet performed automatic communication parameter setting, is selected.

[0069] Note that some communication parameter automatic setting methods cannot be implemented in parallel. For example, when implementing the Push Button method in WPS, if there is an AP implementing WPS and multiple enrollees, the specifications state that the WPS process will end with an error as a session overlap. Therefore, implementing WPS simultaneously with multiple STA functions will result in an error. If the WPS Push Button method is implemented on one of the communication interfaces, it is best not to implement a similar method.

[0070] Fig. 8 shows the display when selecting the automatic communication parameter setting method, and shows the display when WPS is being implemented by the first STA functional unit 242. Display 801 corresponds to step 602 in Fig. 6 described above. In this case, WPS is grayed out so that it cannot be selected. Since WPS and DPP can be implemented simultaneously, DPP is selectable. If DPP is selected in this state, the second STA functional unit 243 will be automatically selected and DPP will be implemented.

[0071] As another example, consider a case where the communication parameter automatic configuration method is selected while DPP is being implemented in the first STA functional unit 242. In this case, since DPP can be implemented simultaneously in multiple STA functional units, DPP can be selected even while DPP processing is being implemented in the first STA functional unit 242. When DPP is selected, new DPP processing can be started using the second STA functional unit 243.

[0072] The above describes a case where a communication device is configured to operate multiple STA functions in parallel and a communication interface is selected from multiple communication interfaces capable of executing the STA functions to execute automatic communication parameter configuration. Conventionally, in a configuration with one STA function, it was not necessary to be aware of which communication interface to use to execute automatic communication parameter configuration. However, in a configuration with multiple STA functions, it becomes necessary to select a communication interface from multiple executable communication interfaces to execute DPP.

[0073] According to the present invention, in a configuration in which multiple STA functions exist, it becomes possible to automatically select a communication interface from multiple communication interfaces capable of executing the STA function and execute automatic communication parameter setting. This improves user convenience because the user does not need to know which communication interface to use for executing automatic communication parameter setting.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the communication device 101 has been described as having two STA functions by the first STA function unit 242 and the second STA function unit 243, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is also applicable to a case where the communication device 101 has three or more STA functions.

[0075] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0076] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment also includes the following configurations.

[0077] (Configuration 1) A communication device having a plurality of STA (station) functions, A control means for exclusively operating the plurality of STA functions; An execution means for executing a sharing process of parameters required for connection with an AP (access point); An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the functions of the plurality of STAs; A selection means for selecting an STA function to be used in the shared processing according to the information acquired by the acquisition means; a connection means for connecting to the AP based on the parameters shared using the STA function selected by the selection means; A communication device comprising:

[0078] (Configuration 2) The selection means selects, from among the plurality of STA functions, a STA function that is not connected to an AP. 2. The communication device according to configuration 1.

[0079] (Configuration 3) The method further includes a determination means for determining a priority of each STA function among the plurality of STA functions; the acquiring means acquires the priority determined by the determining means as the information, The selection means selects a STA function based on the priority. 3. The communication device according to configuration 1 or 2.

[0080] (Configuration 4) The determining means determines the priority based on frequency band information preset for each STA function. 4. The communication device according to configuration 3.

[0081] (Configuration 5) The parameter sharing unit further includes a sharing unit for sharing the parameter acquired in the sharing process among the plurality of STA functions. 5. A communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

[0082] (Configuration 6) The sharing process is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) or DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol). 6. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 101 Communication equipment 201 Power supply section 211 Input section 221 Output section 231 Control Unit 241 Wireless LAN function unit 242 First STA Functional Department 243 Second STA function section 244 Antenna 251 Near Field Communication Department 261 Storage section

Claims

1. A communication device having a plurality of STA (station) functions, A control means for exclusively operating the plurality of STA functions; An execution means for executing a sharing process of parameters required for connection with an AP (access point); An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the plurality of STA functions; a selection means for selecting an STA function to be used in the sharing process in accordance with the information acquired by the acquisition means; a connection means for connecting to the AP based on the parameters shared using the STA function selected by the selection means; A communication device comprising:

2. The selection means selects, from among the plurality of STA functions, a STA function that is not connected to an AP.

2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The method further includes a determination unit for determining a priority of each of the plurality of STA functions, the acquiring means acquires the priority determined by the determining means as the information, The selection means selects a STA function based on the priority.

3. The communication device according to claim 2.

4. The determining means determines the priority based on frequency band information preset for each STA function.

4. The communication device according to claim 3.

5. The parameter sharing unit further includes a sharing unit for sharing the parameter acquired in the sharing process among the plurality of STA functions.

2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

6. The sharing process is WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) or DPP (Device Provisioning Protocol).

2. The communication device according to claim 1 .

7. A method for controlling a communication device having a plurality of STA functions, comprising the steps of: a control step of exclusively operating the plurality of STA functions using one RF circuit; an execution step of executing a sharing process of parameters necessary for connection with an access point; acquiring information about the plurality of STA functions; a selection step of selecting an STA function to be used in the sharing process according to the information acquired by the acquisition means; a connecting step of connecting to the access point based on the parameters shared using the STA function selected by the selecting step; 13. A method for controlling a communication device, comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to function as the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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