Communication device, control method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which there was a possibility that a device could not connect to a network optimally when multiple networks corresponded to an input SSID.SOLUTION: A network to be connected is determined from among multiple networks on the basis of device settings and other factors.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent increase in data traffic, development of communication technologies such as wireless local area networks (WLANs) is progressing. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard series is known as the main WLAN communication standard. The IEEE 802.11 standard series includes standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax. IEEE 802.11n / ac / ax allows the use of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands for WLANs. Communication quality may vary among multiple frequency bands. Compared to the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band is less susceptible to radio interference, and when communication quality is stable, it generally offers faster communication speeds, so users tend to prefer the 5 GHz band.

[0003] As a technique for a wireless communication device to select an advantageous frequency band for communication, Reference 1 describes a technique in which an access point having an SSID that matches a predetermined SSID is searched for, and if the frequency band used by the discovered access point is not the desired frequency band, another access point is searched for. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-103868 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, if the first access point discovered meets the conditions, a connection is made immediately, but a comparison with other access points is not made, which may result in an inappropriate connection. Furthermore, the access point suitable for connection may change depending on the state of the communication device, etc. The present invention aims to provide a method that enables a communication device to suitably connect to an access point. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The communication device is characterized by having a reception means for receiving an input of an SSID to specify a network to connect to, and a determination means for determining a network to connect to based on the settings of the communication device when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID received by the reception means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The communication device can be suitably connected to the access point. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration. [Figure 2] Sequence diagram when an AP and a STA establish a link. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an AP / STA. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an AP and STA. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an AP mode setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process for determining a connection destination AP according to conditions and connecting to the AP. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a screen for setting an SSID and a password. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting an SSID to connect to from a list. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting connection conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] (Configuration of wireless communication system) Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a network according to this embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a configuration including two external access points (APs) AP101 and AP201 and two stations (STAs) STA301 and STA350. As shown in Fig. 1, the network formed by AP101 is indicated by circle 100, the network formed by AP201 by circle 200, and the network formed by STA301 by circle 300. STA301 can transmit and receive signals transmitted and received by AP101 and AP201. Furthermore, when the access point function is enabled, STA301 forms network 300 and can perform direct wireless communication (peer-to-peer communication) with STA350.

[0011] STA301 can join the network formed by AP101 and AP201. AP101, AP201, and STA301 can perform wireless communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11n / ac / ax standard or IEEE 802.11ax or later standards. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Each communication device can communicate in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. The frequency bands used by each communication device are not limited to these and may use different frequency bands, such as the 60 GHz band. AP101, AP201, STA301, and STA350 can communicate using bandwidths of 20 GHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz. The bandwidths used by each communication device are not limited to these and may use different bandwidths, such as 240 MHz and 4 MHz.

[0012] Although the AP 101, AP 201, STA 301, and STA 350 are described as being compatible with the IEEE 802.11n / ac / ax standard, they may also be compatible with legacy standards that predate the IEEE 802.11n / ac / ax standard. Specifically, the AP 101, AP 201, STA 301, and STA 350 may be compatible with at least one of the IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax standards. Furthermore, in addition to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, they may also be compatible with other communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, UWB, ZigBee, and MBOA. Note that UWB stands for Ultra Wide Band, and MBOA stands for Multi-Band OFDM Alliance. Furthermore, NFC stands for Near Field Communication. UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WiNET, and the like. Furthermore, they may also be compatible with wired communication standards such as wired LAN. Specific examples of the AP101 and AP201 include, but are not limited to, a wireless LAN router and a personal computer (PC). The AP101 may also be an information processing device such as a wireless chip capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE802.11n / ac / ax standard. Specific examples of the STA301 and STA350 include, but are not limited to, information processing devices such as a printer, a multifunction peripheral, a camera, a tablet, a smartphone, a PC, a mobile phone, a video camera, and a headset. The STA301 and STA350 may also be an information processing device such as a wireless chip capable of performing wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE802.11n / ac / ax standard.

[0013] AP101, AP201, STA301, and STA350 can implement infrastructure mode, selecting one of multiple frequency bands to establish a connection and perform communications. For example, AP101 has link 103 in the first frequency band of 5 GHz and link 104 in the second frequency band of 2.4 GHz, and AP201 has link 203 in the first frequency band of 5 GHz and link 204 in the second frequency band of 2.4 GHz. STA301 establishes a connection using information such as the SSID assigned to each AP's link. AP101 and AP201 can set the same SSID for each frequency band link, and STA201 identifies each link from the frequency band and the BSSID included in the packet sent from the AP.

[0014] STA301 supports infrastructure mode, which is an operational setting for infrastructure communication, which communicates with communication terminals via external access points 101 and 201. In infrastructure mode, STA301 supports the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands. STA301 communicates in one of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands depending on the external access point to which it connects in infrastructure mode. In other words, the frequency band that STA301 uses in infrastructure mode is determined by the external access point.

[0015] Furthermore, the STA301 supports a direct wireless communication function that enables direct wireless communication (direct connection) with a communication terminal without going through an external access point. There are two operating settings for direct wireless communication. One is WFD mode, which complies with the Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) standard established by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In WFD mode, direct wireless communication is established by negotiating with the other device to determine which device will be the GO (Group Owner). The other is AP mode, which is also called software AP mode, in which the STA301 operates as a fixed AP without the above-mentioned negotiation and performs direct wireless communication with the other device. AP mode does not have to comply with the WFD standard. The STA301 supports three modes: infrastructure mode, WFD mode, and AP mode. For example, it is possible to operate in infrastructure mode and AP mode simultaneously, either in parallel or simultaneously. It is also possible to operate in infrastructure mode and WFD mode simultaneously, either in parallel or simultaneously.

[0016] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram of when a STA establishes a link with an external AP, showing a communication connection in the infrastructure mode described above. The AP makes the STA aware of its presence by sending a Beacon. The STA sends a Probe Request to the AP, and the AP determines that link establishment can begin when it receives a Probe Response from the STA. The STA and AP establish the link by performing authentication communication (Authentication ~ 4-way handshake). The above is the connection sequence with an external AP when STA301 operates in infrastructure mode. When STA301 operates in AP mode, STA301 operates as the AP in the above sequence, establishing a direct wireless communication connection with the communication terminal.

[0017] The STA identifies the AP by the BSSID (MAC address) in the frame and identifies the link destination by the SSID. Because users can arbitrarily set the SSID for APs, a single device may operate as an AP in different frequency bands and use the same SSID in different frequency bands. Also, different APs may use the same SSID. Here, networks formed by different APs are distinguished as different networks. For example, even if AP1 and AP2 use the same SSID, they are different APs, so the network formed by AP1 is distinguished as Network 1, and the network formed by AP2 is distinguished as Network 2. Furthermore, if a single communication device operates as an AP in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the networks formed in each frequency band are distinguished. For example, the network formed by the AP operating in the 2.4 GHz band is distinguished as Network 1, and the network formed by the AP operating in the 5 GHz band is distinguished as Network 2. Furthermore, a single communication device may distinguish between APs by operating in the 2.4 GHz band as AP1 and AP operating in the 5 GHz band as AP2.

[0018] (AP / STA configuration) 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the STA 301 in this embodiment. The STA 301 has a storage unit 371, a control unit 372, a function unit 373, an input unit 374, an output unit 375, a communication unit 376, and an antenna 377. Note that the number of antennas may be multiple.

[0019] The storage unit 371 is configured with one or more memories such as ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various information such as computer programs for performing various operations described below and communication parameters for wireless communication. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and RAM stands for Random Access Memory. In addition to memories such as ROM and RAM, the storage unit 371 may also use storage media such as flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and DVDs. Furthermore, the storage unit 371 may include multiple memories, etc.

[0020] The control unit 372 is configured with one or more processors, such as a CPU or MPU, and controls the entire STA 301 by executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 371. The control unit 372 may control the entire STA 301 in cooperation with the computer program stored in the storage unit 371 and an OS (Operating System). The control unit 372 also generates data and signals (radio frames) to be transmitted in communication with other communication devices. The CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, and the MPU stands for Micro Processing Unit. The control unit 372 may also be equipped with multiple processors, such as a multi-core processor, and the multiple processors may control the entire STA 301.

[0021] Furthermore, the control unit 372 controls the functional unit 373 to execute predetermined processes such as wireless communication, imaging, printing, and projection. The functional unit 373 is hardware that enables the STA 301 to execute predetermined processes. Here, the STA 301 is assumed to be an image processing device that includes a printer and a scanner in the functional unit 373. The STA 301 prints print data received from an external terminal via the communication unit 376 using the printer, or transmits image data generated by scanning an original with the scanner to the external terminal via the communication unit 376. The STA 301 may also be an image processing device that has only a single function of a printer or a scanner.

[0022] The input unit 374 receives various operations from the user. The output unit 375 outputs various types of information to the user via a monitor screen or a speaker. Here, the output by the output unit 375 may be a display on a monitor screen, an audio output by a speaker, a vibration output, or the like. Note that both the input unit 374 and the output unit 375 may be implemented by a single module, such as a touch panel. Also, the input unit 374 and the output unit 375 may be integrated with the STA 301 or may be separate units. Hereinafter, the input unit 374 and the output unit 375 will be collectively referred to as a UI unit.

[0023] The communication unit 376 controls wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE802.11 series standard, and controls the antenna 377 to transmit and receive signals generated by the control unit 372 for wireless communication.

[0024] If STA 301 supports the NFC standard, Bluetooth standard, or the like in addition to the IEEE 802.11 series standard, it may control wireless communications in accordance with these communication standards. If STA 301 can perform wireless communications in accordance with multiple communication standards, it may be configured with separate communication units and antennas compatible with each communication standard. STA 301 communicates data such as image data, document data, and video data with STA 301 via communication unit 376. Antenna 377 may be configured separately from communication unit 376, or may be configured together with communication unit 376 as a single module.

[0025] The antenna 377 is an antenna capable of communication in the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. In this embodiment, the STA 301 has one antenna, but may have multiple antennas.

[0026] The AP 101, AP 201, and STA 350 have the same hardware configuration as the STA 301. While the STA 301 has one antenna 377, the AP 101 and AP 201 may have different antennas for each frequency band. If the AP 101 or 201 has multiple antennas, it may have a communication unit 376 corresponding to each antenna.

[0027] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the STA 301 in this embodiment. The STA 350 has a similar configuration. Each function is realized by the CPU reading out a program stored in a storage unit into a RAM or the like and executing it.

[0028] STA 301 comprises a connection information setting section 401 , an AP searching section 402 , an infrastructure connection control section 403 (hereinafter referred to as infrastructure connection control section 403 ), a communication quality measuring section 404 , an AP mode control section 405 , and a connection destination determining section 406 .

[0029] The connection information setting unit 401 is a block that controls the setting of connection information for the STA 301 to connect to the AP 101 and the AP 201 via the UI unit. The connection information setting unit 401 accepts input of information required for connection, such as an SSID and a password, from the UI unit and stores the information in the storage unit 371.

[0030] The AP search unit 402 discovers APs by receiving Beacons from APs around the STA 301. The AP search unit 402 provides an SSID list of the discovered APs to the connection information setting unit 401. The connection information setting unit 401 receives the selection result from the SSID list and information required for connection, such as a password, from the user via the UI unit, and stores the information in the storage unit 371.

[0031] The infrastructure connection control unit 403 is a block that receives information for connecting to AP101 and AP201 from the connection information setting unit and controls the processing for establishing a link. Specifically, link establishment consists of probe processing, authentication processing, association processing, and 4-Way-Hand-Shake (4WHS) processing. The infrastructure connection control unit 403 transmits probe requests at frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band.

[0032] The communication quality measurement unit 404 measures and calculates communication quality from the Beacon received by the AP search unit and the Probe Response frame received by the infrastructure connection control unit 403. Examples of communication quality information include, but are not limited to, a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and a Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR).

[0033] The AP mode control unit 405 is a block that controls the process in which the STA 301 becomes an access point, transmits Beacom signals, and accepts Probe Requests and connection requests from STAs. The frequency to be used can be set to 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz in the UI unit, and communication is performed at the frequency corresponding to the setting. FIG. 5 shows an example of an AP mode setting screen in this embodiment, which is a screen that the STA 301 controls to display. The user configures the STA 301 for direct wireless communication (direct connection) via this screen. The user can enable (ON) (501) or disable (OFF) (502) the AP mode setting on a direct connection setting screen 500 via the UI unit. When the user selects the AP mode setting to ON (501), the direct connection frequency setting screen 510 accepts an operation from the user to set the frequency to either 5 GHz (511) or 2.4 GHz (512). The AP mode control unit 405 controls the frequency band according to the frequency band set here. Here, an example is shown in which two items, 5 GHz setting (511) and 2.4 GHz setting (512), are provided, but in addition, a 6 GHz item may be provided so that direct connection can be set in the 6 GHz band.

[0034] The connection destination determination unit 406 is a control block that, when Probe Responses are received from a plurality of networks (APs) in response to a Probe Request sent by the infrastructure connection control unit 403, determines the network (AP) to connect to in accordance with conditions.

[0035] The infrastructure connection control unit 403 and the AP mode control unit 405 can operate simultaneously. When the infrastructure connection control unit 403 and the AP mode control unit 405 operate simultaneously using different frequencies, the communication unit 376 performs communication by switching the use of the antenna 377 between the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band in a time-division manner.

[0036] (Processing flow) Next, several embodiments will be described, including the flow of the processing executed by the AP / STA and the sequence in the wireless communication system.

[0037] 6 shows the process in which the STA 301 determines a destination network (AP) according to conditions and connects to the network (AP). This process is started, for example, when the user starts a connection to the AP via the UI unit, when the STA 301 starts up, or when wireless connection operation is enabled.

[0038] In S601, the control unit 372 checks whether the SSID and password have been input from the UI unit. If the input has been confirmed, the process proceeds to S603; if the input has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to S602. Here, it is assumed that the user manually inputs the SSID and password via a screen such as that shown in FIG. 7 to specify the AP to which the STA 301 will connect.

[0039] In S602, the control unit 372 checks whether the SSID and password are stored in the storage unit 371, and if they are stored, the process proceeds to S603, and if they are not stored, the process returns to S601.

[0040] In S603, the control unit 372 performs probe processing for the input or saved SSID. Specifically, a probe request is sent at each of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, and a probe response is received from the AP that received the probe request. Note that in this embodiment, two frequencies, the 5 GHz band and the 2.4 GHz band, are used, but the frequencies used are not limited to this, and a configuration using two or more frequencies may also be used. Here, for example, a probe request is sent to the AP corresponding to the input or saved SSID.

[0041] In S604, the control unit 372 checks whether Probe Responses have been received from multiple APs and frequency bands, and detects any duplication of the SSIDs corresponding to the Probe Responses. If duplication is detected, the process proceeds to S605; if duplication is not detected, the process proceeds to S612. In other words, here it is determined whether multiple networks corresponding to the input (saved) SSID have been found.

[0042] In S605, the control unit 372 checks whether the AP mode setting for direct connection is ON (501), and if it is ON, the process proceeds to S606, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to S608.

[0043] In S606, it is checked whether there is an AP that transmits a probe response with the same frequency as the frequency setting for direct connection in S603, and if there is, the process proceeds to S607, and if there is not, the process proceeds to S611. Here, the frequency setting for direct connection is the frequency band set by the user on the direct connection frequency setting screen 510.

[0044] In S607, the control unit 372 connects to a network (AP) that uses the same frequency as the frequency setting for the direct connection. Specifically, it performs authentication processing, association processing, and 4-Way Hand Shake (4WHS) processing with the AP. The frequency band that the network (AP) uses for communication connection may be determined from the frequency band used in the exchange of probes with the corresponding AP, or may be determined from information transmitted from the corresponding AP. In addition, although an example of connecting to a network that uses the same frequency band as the frequency setting for the direct connection has been shown here, the present invention is not limited to this and it is also possible to connect to a network that uses the same channel as the channel used for the direct connection.

[0045] In S608, the control unit 372 checks the frequency of the AP that received the Probe Response and determines whether there is a difference in communication speed. In this embodiment, the 5 GHz band is generally less susceptible to radio interference than the 2.4 GHz band and has more stable communication quality, so the 5 GHz band is determined to have a faster communication speed. In other words, if a device operating as a single access point is operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz using the same SSID, the STA 301 determines that the 5 GHz network has a faster speed and attempts to connect to the 5 GHz network. The criteria for determining communication speed are not limited to these, and the communication speed may also be determined taking into account bandwidth, degree of interference, signal strength, etc.

[0046] In S609, the STA 301 checks the communication quality of the radio waves transmitted by the AP using the communication quality measurement unit 405, and proceeds to S610 if the communication quality is above a certain level, or proceeds to S611 if the communication quality is below a certain level. For example, an RSSI of -70 dBm or above is considered to be "communication quality above a certain level," and an RSSI of -71 dBm or below is considered to be "communication quality below a certain level," but this is not limited to this.

[0047] In S610, control unit 372 connects to the network (AP) that is determined to have a high communication speed.

[0048] In S611, the control unit 372 connects to the network (AP) with the best communication quality.

[0049] If multiple APs remain as candidates in S607 and S610, the AP with the best communication quality is connected, as in S611. If there is no difference in communication quality, the priority for connection is determined in the order of communication speed and the network (AP) with the fastest Probe Response.

[0050] In S612, the control unit 372 connects to the AP (network) from which the probe response was received.

[0051] In S613, the control unit 372 checks whether or not the connection to the AP has been successful. If the connection has failed, the process proceeds to S614, and if the connection has been successful, the process ends this flowchart.

[0052] In S614, the control unit 372 registers the SSID of the AP to which connection failed in the exclusion list, and returns to S603. The exclusion list is used to exclude the SSID of an AP to be connected to in subsequent processing, even if there is a Probe Response from the AP in S603. The exclusion list may be configured to be cleared when this flowchart starts, or may be configured to be cleared when the SSID and password are entered in S601, and not cleared in the flow that passes through S602 to connect to the AP without user operation.

[0053] The process in the above flowchart enables the STA to connect to an appropriate access point. Specifically, the STA can select an appropriate AP as the connection destination based on its device settings or the communication speed of the AP.

[0054] For example, a STA connects to an AP that uses the same frequency band as the frequency setting for a direct connection, ensuring communication speed. On the other hand, if the frequency band used for direct connection and the frequency band used for connecting to an AP are different, communication must be performed in a time-division manner, resulting in slower communication speeds. Here, a configuration is shown in which a STA connects to an AP that uses the same frequency band as the frequency setting for a direct connection, but a configuration in which a STA connects to an AP that uses a different frequency band from the frequency setting for a direct connection is also possible. Furthermore, while the destination network is determined based on the frequency setting for a direct connection, the destination network may also be determined based on other settings. Examples of other settings include device security settings and energy-saving settings. Furthermore, a configuration may be used in which the destination network is determined by comprehensively considering the frequency setting for a direct connection, communication speed, and communication quality.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen on which the user sets the SSID and password of the network (AP) to which the STA 301 connects in this embodiment.

[0056] In S601, the STA 301 receives an SSID and a password from the UI unit. An SSID input 701 is received on an SSID setting screen 700. The SSID setting screen 700 also receives communication security settings from the user. A password setting screen 710 receives a password input 711 from the user.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen for the user to select from a list an AP to which the STA 301 will connect in this embodiment.

[0058] In S601, the STA 301 was configured to accept input of an SSID and password from the user via the UI unit and attempt to connect to the entered SSID. Here, instead of inputting the SSID, the AP search unit 402 displays the search results in an SSID list 801, allowing the user to select one. The STA 301 displays a list of AP search results, including the SSID, based on beacons transmitted by surrounding APs. If the SSID selected by the user from the list overlaps with the SSID of another AP, a screen 810 is displayed, allowing the user to select whether or not to automatically determine the connection destination. If the user selects "Yes" to automatically determine the connection destination, the password is entered, and the process proceeds to S603. The STA 301 then connects to an appropriate network (AP), such as an AP using a direct connection frequency band or an AP with a high communication speed. If the user selects "No" to automatically determine the connection destination, the STA 301 assumes that the user has identified the desired AP based on information identifying the AP, such as the MAC address, and connects to the AP corresponding to the selected SSID.

[0059] FIG. 9 is an example of a screen for setting connection conditions in this embodiment, the display of which is controlled by the STA 301.

[0060] In the process shown in Figure 6, if an SSID overlap is detected when connecting to an AP, the order of determining the connection destination is the AP mode frequency setting (S607), communication speed (S610), and communication quality (S611). This determination order is not fixed, and the user may be able to change it on the screen shown in Figure 9. In other words, the user can set the conditions for which AP to connect to when the SSIDs entered by the user are overlapping.

[0061] As described above, it is now possible to compare with other access points and connect to the most appropriate access point. Also, when a wireless communication device acts as an access point and is used simultaneously with communication connecting to an information terminal, it is now possible to dynamically determine and connect to the most appropriate access point based on the device's status.

[0062] (Other embodiments) In each of the above embodiments, the various controls described as being performed by the communication device may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0063] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with reference to examples in which the present invention is applied to communication devices such as STAs and APs. However, this is not limited to this example and the present invention can be applied to any wireless device. Specifically, the present invention can be applied to various measuring devices (sensor devices) such as personal computers, PDAs, tablet devices, mobile phone devices such as smartphones, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, smartwatches, and thermometers and hygrometers. The present invention can also be applied to digital cameras (including still cameras, video cameras, network cameras, and security cameras), printers, scanners, and drones. The present invention can also be applied to video output devices, audio output devices (e.g., smart speakers), media streaming players, and wireless LAN adapters (adapters) that can be connected to USB or LAN cable terminals. Examples of video output devices include devices that acquire (download) videos from the Internet identified by a URL specified by an electronic device and output them to a connected display device via a video output terminal such as HDMI (registered trademark), thereby enabling streaming playback on the display device or mirroring display (displaying the content displayed on the electronic device on the display device). Furthermore, video output devices include media players such as televisions, hard disk recorders, Blu-ray recorders, and DVD recorders, head-mounted displays, projectors, televisions, display devices (monitors), signage devices, etc. The present invention is also applicable to Wi-Fi-connectable devices known as smart home appliances, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, lighting equipment, heating equipment, and cooling equipment.

[0065] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0066] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0067] (Configuration 1) A communication device, A receiving means for receiving an input of an SSID for specifying a network to connect to; a determination unit that, when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted by the acceptance unit, determines a network to connect to based on settings of the communication device.

[0068] (Configuration 2) The communication device according to configuration 1, wherein the setting of the communication device is a setting related to direct wireless communication of the communication device.

[0069] (Configuration 3) The communication device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the setting of the communication device is a setting of a frequency band used by the communication device for direct wireless communication.

[0070] (Configuration 4) 4. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the setting of the communication device is a security setting of the communication device.

[0071] (Configuration 5) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the communication device can perform direct wireless communication with a partner device by operating as an access point, and the setting of the communication device is a frequency band to be used when the communication device operates as an access point.

[0072] (Configuration 6) 6. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the frequency band to be used when the communication device operates as an access point can be set to one of two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

[0073] (Configuration 7) 7. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the frequency band used when the communication device operates as an access point can be set to 6 GHz.

[0074] (Configuration 8) 8. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the communication device is capable of simultaneously performing an operation of connecting to the network determined by the determination means and an operation of the direct wireless communication.

[0075] (Configuration 9) 9. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein, when the direct wireless communication function is disabled, the determination means determines the network to connect to based on conditions related to communication.

[0076] (Configuration 10) The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the determination means, when there are multiple access points corresponding to the SSID accepted by the acceptance means, determines the access point to connect to based on the settings of the communication device.

[0077] (Configuration 11) 11. The communication device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the communication device is a printer that performs printing.

[0078] (Configuration 12) A communication device, a receiving means for receiving an input of an SSID for specifying an access point to connect to; A communication device characterized by having a determination means that, when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted by the acceptance means, determines an SSID to connect to based on a frequency band used to connect to the network.

[0079] (Method 1) A control method executed by a communication device, a receiving step of receiving an input of an SSID for specifying a network to connect to; a determination step of determining a network to connect to based on the settings of the communication device when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted in the acceptance step.

[0080] (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 371 Storage section 372 Control Unit 373 Functional Department 374 Input section 375 Output Section 376 Communications Department 377 Antenna section

Claims

1. A communication device, a receiving means for receiving an input of an SSID for specifying a network to connect to; a determination unit that, when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted by the acceptance unit, determines a network to connect to based on a setting of the communication device.

2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting of the communication device is a setting related to direct wireless communication of the communication device.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting of the communication device is a setting of a frequency band used by the communication device for direct wireless communication.

4. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting of the communication device is a security setting of the communication device.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication device is capable of directly communicating wirelessly with a partner device by operating as an access point, and the settings of the communication device are the frequency band to be used when the communication device operates as an access point.

6. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the frequency band to be used when the communication device operates as an access point can be set to one of two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

7. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the frequency band used when the communication device operates as an access point can be set to 6 GHz.

8. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the device is capable of simultaneously performing an operation for connecting to the network determined by the determination means and an operation for performing the direct wireless communication.

9. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein, when the direct wireless communication function is disabled, the determining means determines the network to connect to based on conditions related to communication.

10. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when there are a plurality of access points corresponding to the SSID accepted by the accepting means, the determining means determines the access point to connect to based on the settings of the communication device.

11. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a printer that performs printing.

12. A communication device, a receiving means for receiving an input of an SSID for specifying an access point to connect to; and a determination means for determining an SSID to connect to based on a frequency band used for connection to a network when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted by the acceptance means.

13. A control method executed by a communication device, a receiving step of receiving an input of an SSID for specifying a network to connect to; a determination step of determining a network to connect to based on a setting of the communication device when there are multiple networks corresponding to the SSID accepted in the acceptance step.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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