Communication device, method for controlling communication device, and program

Abstract

To provide a communication device that can surely use communication settings and is on a side of receiving the communication settings.SOLUTION: In a system 100, when an authentication type parameter included in communication settings stored in storage means indicates that both WPA / WPA2 and its upwardly compatible WPA3 are supported, a digital camera 101 replaces the authentication type parameter with an authentication type parameter indicating that WPA3 is not supported but WPA / WPA2 is, and outputs communication settings including the replaced authentication type parameter to a communication setting file 103.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device capable of wireless communication, a control method for the communication device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, communication devices having a wireless communication function such as digital cameras, video cameras, printers, and smartphones have increased. In these communication devices, communication settings input by a user can be stored, and wireless communication can be executed based on the stored communication settings. The communication settings include authentication type parameters related to wireless communication authentication.

[0003] In addition, some of these communication devices have a function of exporting or importing communication settings. By using these functions, the communication settings stored in the own device can be exported to other devices so that they can be used in other devices, or the communication settings stored in other devices can be imported into the own device so that they can be used in the own device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When trying to make communication settings available on other devices, setting compatibility between devices often becomes a problem. For example, when a new standard is added to a wireless security standard (e.g., authentication type), devices corresponding to the new standard and non-corresponding devices (legacy devices) will coexist, and it is necessary to devise when diverting communication settings.

[0006] Patent Document 1 ensures consistency between devices by including setting version information when exporting communication settings, and the import side of the communication settings does not load the settings when the setting version information indicates a version that the device does not support.

[0007] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, there are cases where firmware changes are required to enable other models to distinguish the newly set version when a new standard is added. In addition, there is a problem that communication settings that should originally be available on other models cannot be used even when the new standard is compatible with the old standard.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to ensure that the communication settings can be reliably used in the device on the receiving side of the communication settings by replacing a part of the communication settings when outputting the communication settings for wireless communication.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, a communication device according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication device capable of performing wireless communication with an external device, and includes storage means for storing communication settings including authentication type parameters for the wireless communication, and the authentication type parameters included in the communication settings stored in the storage means WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Personal and of WPA3 Personal indicating that it supports both is the first authentication type parameter In this case, a replacement means for replacing the authentication type parameter with 、 the WPA2 Personal authentication type parameter indicating that it supports second the the second authentication type parameter that does not indicate correspondence with the WPA3 Personal and an output means for outputting a setting file including the communication settings including at least the authentication type parameter replaced by the replacement means, and the setting file output by the output means second is another communication device different from the communication device, generate, and store the generated configuration file in the memory card attached to the communication device and 、 is the WPA3 PersonalIn the other communication device of the type that does not support it, using the setting file communication A setting file configured to be able to perform an import process of settings The memory card storing the configuration file can be attached to the other communication device, and the other communication device with the memory card storing the configuration file imports the communication settings based on the stored configuration file is characterized by.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure that the communication settings can be used in the device on the receiving side of the communication settings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims and is not limited by the following individual embodiments.

[0013] (Example of System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a system 100 as an example of a communication system according to the present embodiment. This system 100 includes, for example, a digital camera 101, a digital camera 102, and a communication setting file 103 in which communication settings are exported. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 101 will be described as an example of a communication device, but the present invention can be applied to communication devices other than digital cameras (for example, printers, smartphones, etc.).

[0014] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the digital cameras 101 and 102 have a wireless communication function. Here, the wireless communication function will be described as a wireless LAN function compliant with the IEEE802.11 series. However, it is not limited to this, and other wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), MBOA, UWB, ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. may be used. Also, instead of wireless communication, wired communication such as wired LAN or USB connection may be performed. Here, MBOA is the abbreviation of Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Also, UWB is the abbreviation of Ultra Wide Band and includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, WINET, etc.

[0015] Digital camera 101 has a function of generating a communication settings file 103 as one of the output means for making the communication settings of the device itself available for use in digital camera 102. The communication settings file 103 generated using this function is stored in the memory card attached to digital camera 101. Then, when the memory card is attached to digital camera 102, digital camera 102 reads the stored communication settings file 103, and the communication settings file 103 is transferred between digital camera 101 and digital camera 102. Note that it is also possible to use the aforementioned wireless communication or wired communication as a means of outputting the communication settings to the outside so that the communication settings can be output via a network.

[0016] Also, in this system configuration, digital camera 102 is described as the device that reads the externally output communication settings, but the target external device does not necessarily have to be one. That is, it is also possible that a plurality of digital cameras import communication settings using the same communication settings file 103. Also, a network may be configured between devices using the aforementioned communication function, and digital camera 101 may transmit communication settings to a plurality of other devices including digital camera 102 via the network.

[0017] In this embodiment, WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, and WPA3 are described as wireless security standards. Although digital camera 101 supports not only WPA and WPA2, which are the first encryption methods, but also the WPA3 standard, which is the second encryption method, a case where digital camera 102 does not support the WPA3 standard and supports only the WPA and WPA2 standards will be described as an example.

[0018] (Configuration of Digital Camera) Fig. 2(a) shows a configuration example of the hardware of the digital camera 101 according to this embodiment. 201 is a wireless LAN control unit that performs wireless LAN RF control, wireless LAN communication processing, a driver for performing various controls of wireless LAN communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 series, and protocol processing related to wireless LAN communication. 202 is an antenna for performing wireless LAN communication.

[0019] 203 is a control unit that controls the entire digital camera 101 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 204. 204 is a ROM that stores the control program executed by the control unit 203. Various operations described later are performed by the control unit 203 executing the control program stored in the ROM 204. The communication settings stored in the digital camera are stored in the ROM 204.

[0020] 205 is a RAM used for temporary storage of work memory and data when executing the control program. 206 is a storage unit that stores various information such as parameters necessary for communication and compressed and encoded image data on a recording medium (not shown). 207 is an operation unit for operating the digital camera 101.

[0021] 208 is a display unit that performs various displays and has a function capable of outputting information that can be visually recognized such as an LCD or an LED, or audio output such as a speaker. Also, a configuration in which the operation unit 207 and the display unit 208, such as a touch panel, are integrated is conceivable. 209 is a microphone.

[0022] 210 is a packet transceiver unit that transmits and receives packets related to various communications. 211 is an imaging unit that captures an optical image of a subject. 212 is an image processing unit that converts the captured image output from the imaging unit 211 into image data in a predetermined format and performs various processes such as luminance and color correction of the image data.

[0023] 213 is an encoding / decoding unit that performs predetermined high-efficiency encoding (for example, discrete cosine transform and variable-length encoding after quantization) on the image data output from the image processing unit 212. 214 is a playback unit that plays back the compressed and encoded image data. 215 is a power supply unit that supplies power to the digital camera 101.

[0024] Next, FIG. 2(b) shows a configuration example of software realized by the control unit 203 reading out the program stored in the ROM 204. 251 is an instruction determination unit that determines whether the start of the communication function has been instructed by the user via a button or the like of the operation unit 207, or determines that the export of the communication settings has been instructed. 252 is a storage control unit that controls the storage unit 206 and performs data storage and reading to the RAM 205.

[0025] 253 is a display control unit that controls the display unit 208 to perform various displays. 254 is a transmission unit that makes requests to the outside, transmits data, etc. using the packet transceiver 210, the wireless LAN control unit 201, etc. 255 is a reception unit that receives responses from the outside, receives data, etc. using the packet transceiver 210, the wireless LAN control unit 201, etc. 256 is a setting output unit that performs processing for externally outputting the communication settings stored in the ROM 204.

[0026] All the functional blocks shown in FIG. 2 have an interrelationship either software-wise or hardware-wise. Also, the above functional blocks are just examples, and a plurality of functional blocks may be configured to form one functional block, or any one functional block may be further divided into blocks that perform a plurality of functions. Further, the execution of the control program may be in a form where the control program stored in the ROM 204 is expanded to the RAM 205 and then executed by the control unit 203.

[0027] (Regarding Communication Settings) Here, the communication settings saved in the ROM 204 will be described. The communication settings 301 shown in FIG. 3 are a group of communication setting parameters for the digital cameras 101 and 102 to communicate with an external device. The group of communication setting parameters includes various communication parameters including the authentication type parameters described below.

[0028] This parameter includes interface information such as wired LAN and wireless LAN to be used, the destination IP address, and network authentication type parameters related to the wireless security standard. In addition, it includes information necessary for communicating with an external device such as the password string length parameter and the password string.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows an example of parameter values of the network authentication type parameter. In this embodiment, the network authentication type parameter is a set value indicating the wireless security standard (authentication type) that can be used when the digital cameras 101 and 102 perform wireless LAN communication.

[0030] In this embodiment, the wireless security standards that can be set with the network authentication type parameter are three types: WPA, WPA2, and WPA3 standards, and the parameter value is a value indicating a combination of whether each standard is available or not. In addition, the network authentication type parameter also specifies the operation mode of the wireless security standard used when the digital cameras 101 and 102 perform wireless LAN communication.

[0031] Specifically, it specifies whether to use the personal mode or the enterprise mode of each WPA standard. Each network authentication type parameter shown in Table 401 is a parameter type that combines the WPA and WPA2 standards that are compatible with other devices. That is, it indicates that it is compatible with both WPA and WPA2 and not compatible with WPA3.

[0032] Each network authentication type parameter shown in Table 402 is a parameter type corresponding to the WPA3 standard that is not compatible with other devices. That is, it indicates that it is compatible with WPA3 and not compatible with WPA and WPA2.

[0033] Each network authentication type parameter shown in Table 403 is a parameter type that combines the WPA3 standard that is not compatible with other devices and the WPA-WPA2 standards that are compatible with other devices. That is, it indicates that it is compatible with all of WPA, WPA2, and WPA3.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows an example of parameter values of the password string length parameter. In the present embodiment, the password string length parameter is a setting value indicating the length of the password used in communication of the wireless security standard specified by the above-described network authentication type parameter and how the password is stored in the communication setting 301 in terms of format. Here, the format specifically refers to whether it is specified as binary data or as an ASCII string, and also indicates the range of possible lengths of the password.

[0035] Each password string length parameter shown in Table 501 is a parameter indicating the password type available in the WPA-WPA2 standards. The password string length parameter shown in Table 502 is a parameter indicating the password type available in the WPA3 standard. One type is selected from the parameters shown in Tables 401 to 403 for the network authentication type parameter, and one type is selected from the parameters shown in Tables 501 to 502 for the password string length parameter to configure the communication setting parameter 301.

[0036] (Flow of processing) Hereinafter, the processing executed by the digital camera 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The processing is executed by the control unit 203 of the digital camera 101 executing a program stored in the ROM 204, and is started by the user selecting an export process of the communication setting that the digital camera 101 has via the operation unit 207.

[0037] First, at S601, it is determined whether the network authentication type parameter of the communication settings to be exported is included in Table 401 or Table 402. As a result of this determination, if the parameter is included in Table 401 or Table 402, since it is a parameter that can be used by other devices or cannot be used by other devices, at S602, the export process of the communication settings is performed as it is (that is, without performing the replacement described later).

[0038] The exported communication settings can be read into the digital camera 102. At this time, since the one exported with the parameter included in Table 401 does not include WPA3, it can be read by the digital camera 102, but the one exported with the parameter included in Table 402 cannot be read because it includes WPA3.

[0039] If the parameter is included in Table 403, since it is desired to try to use it as WPA2 in other devices that do not support WPA3, the process moves to the password string length parameter determination process.

[0040] Next, at S603, it is determined whether the password string length parameter of the communication settings is included in Table 501. If the parameter is included in Table 501, since it is a password string length parameter compatible with WPA2, other devices can try to connect as WPA2. Therefore, after the replacement process of the currently set network authentication type parameter at S604, the export process is performed at S602.

[0041] An example of the replacement process is shown in FIG. 7. The network authentication type parameter value exported according to Table 701 is replaced with one that does not include WPA3. The communication settings exported at S602 after the replacement process do not include the WPA3 parameter, so they can be read by the digital camera 102.

[0042] Also, the replaced network authentication type parameter value is applied only during the export process, and the replacement process of the parameter included in the communication settings stored in the ROM204 is not performed. Next, if the password string length parameter is not included in Table 502 and is Table 503 in S603, the password string is checked.

[0043] In the case of the parameter indicating 1 to 255 characters ASCII in Table 502, if the actual password string is 8 to 63 characters ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal available for WPA2, it is possible to attempt connection as WPA2. Therefore, in S605, it is determined whether the password length is 8 to 63 characters ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal.

[0044] If the password length is 8 to 63 characters ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal, after the replacement process of the currently set network authentication type parameter in S604, the export process is performed in S602. If the password length is not 8 to 63 characters ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal, the export process of the communication settings is performed as it is in S602.

[0045] As described above, the present invention has been detailed based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of this invention are also included in the present invention.

[0046] For example, in the above embodiment, after the user selects the export process of the communication settings, the processes after S601 are performed regardless of the export destination device. Instead, when determining the network authentication type parameter of the communication settings targeted for the export process in S601, the user may be allowed to select the export destination (output destination) device, and accordingly, it may be determined whether to perform the above - mentioned replacement.

[0047] An example of the selection user interface of the export destination device is shown in FIG. 8, and an example of the processing flowchart when the export destination device is selected is shown in FIG. 9.

[0048] The user interface example S801 is displayed after the user selects to export communication settings, and allows the user to select the device to be the export destination.

[0049] Here, assume that Device A is of the same type as the device itself that does not require parameter substitution processing, and Devices B and C are devices of a different type from the device itself that may be able to achieve compatibility of communication settings by performing parameter substitution processing. When the user selects the export destination device that is displayed, S901 determines whether the selected device is a device to be judged for parameter substitution.

[0050] If Device A is selected, since it is a device of the same type as the device itself, there is no need to perform parameter substitution processing, so the subsequent processing is to perform the processing below S602 described above. If Device B or Device C is selected, since it is a device of a different type from the device itself, parameter substitution determination processing is performed, so the subsequent processing is to perform the processing below S601 described above. Thus, it is easily conceivable to skip the determination processing for a device that does not require parameter substitution determination processing, which is included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0051] Also, in the above embodiment, after the export processing is performed in S602, if parameter substitution has occurred in the pre-processing, it is easily conceivable to notify the user via the user interface or the like that the substitution processing has occurred, which is included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0052] Also, in the above embodiment, the network authentication type parameters used for the determination in S601 are shown as an example in the combination of WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, but the combination examples are not limited to this. For example, a standard that is backward compatible with WPA3 that may appear in the future, or a wireless security standard that is not compatible, can also be easily considered as a combination of parameters.

[0053] At this time, for example, if the wireless security standards included in the network authentication type parameter before S601 are composed of an incompatible combination of wireless security standards as shown in FIG. 10, it is also conceivable to perform the S602 process without performing subsequent determinations.

[0054] Also, when the password length at S605 is not 8 to 63 characters in ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal, the S602 process is performed without parameter replacement.

[0055] At this time, when the communication setting is an infrastructure mode setting, since the password depends on devices such as the opposing access point, if the setting is changed, connection to the opposing device will be impossible, so there is no need to change it. On the other hand, when the communication setting is in access point mode, since it is the password of the own device, by converting or resetting it to a password corresponding to WPA2, an improvement in usability can be expected.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 11, when the password length at S605 is not 8 to 63 characters in ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal, it is determined at S1101 whether the communication setting is in access point mode. If it is not in access point mode here, the S602 process is performed as it is. On the other hand, if it is in access point mode, after changing the password to 8 to 63 characters in ASCII or 64 - digit hexadecimal at S1103, the replacement process of the network authentication type parameter is performed at S604.

[0057] As described above, when the communication setting is in access point mode, by changing the password, it becomes possible to export a compatible setting with other devices. Here, in addition to automatically changing the password at the time of S1103 determination, a password change notification may be implemented on the user interface to confirm with the user. Also, it is easily conceivable to have the user directly input the changed password, etc., which is included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0058] In addition, supplying a program of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments directly from a recording medium or to a system or apparatus having a computer capable of executing the program using wired / wireless communication and executing the program is also included in the present invention.

[0059] Therefore, in order to realize the functional processing of the present invention by a computer, the program code itself supplied to and installed in the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In that case, as long as it has the functions of the program, the form of the program is not limited, such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS, etc. As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk or magnetic tape, an optical / photo-magnetic storage medium, or a non-volatile semiconductor memory may be used.

[0060] Also, as a method for supplying the program, a method may be considered in which a computer program forming the present invention is stored in a server on a computer network, and a connected client computer downloads and programs the computer program.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 101 Digital Camera 101 102 Digital Camera 102 103 Communication Setting File 301 Communication Setting Example 400 Network Authentication Type Parameter Example 500 Password String Length Parameter Example

Claims

1. A communication device capable of performing wireless communication with an external device, a storage means for storing a communication setting including an authentication type parameter for the wireless communication; when the authentication type parameter included in the communication setting stored in the storage means is a first authentication type parameter indicating that it corresponds to both WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Personal and WPA3 Personal, the authentication type parameter is replaced with a second authentication type parameter indicating that it corresponds to the WPA2 Personal and not corresponding to the WPA3 Personal, a replacement means; an output means for generating a setting file including the communication setting including at least the second authentication type parameter replaced by the replacement means and outputting the generated setting file to a memory card mounted on the communication device; having the setting file output by the output means is a setting file configured to be capable of performing an import process of communication settings using the setting file in another communication device different from the communication device and of a type that does not support the WPA3 Personal; the memory card storing the setting file is mountable on the other communication device, and the other communication device mounted with the memory card storing the setting file imports the communication settings based on the stored setting file. A communication device characterized by this.

2. further comprising a first determination means for determining whether the set password is a password available in the WPA2 Personal; when the first determination means determines that the set password is a password available in the WPA2 Personal, the output means outputs the communication setting including the second authentication type parameter replaced by the replacement means. The communication device according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. When it is determined by the first determination means that the set password is not a password available in the WPA2 Personal, the output means outputs a setting file including the communication setting including at least the first authentication type parameter for which substitution by the substitution means has not been performed. The communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. A control method for a communication device capable of performing wireless communication with an external device and having a memory card mounted thereon, An acquisition step of acquiring a communication setting including an authentication type parameter for the wireless communication from a storage area of the communication device; When the authentication type parameter included in the communication setting acquired in the acquisition step is a first authentication type parameter indicating that it corresponds to both WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) Personal and WPA3 Personal, the authentication type parameter is replaced with a second authentication type parameter indicating that it corresponds to the WPA2 Personal and not indicating that it corresponds to the WPA3 Personal; An output step of generating a setting file including the communication setting including at least the authentication type parameter replaced in the replacement step, and outputting the generated setting file to the memory card mounted on the communication device; having The setting file output in the output step is a setting file configured to be capable of performing an import process of setting using the setting file in another communication device different from the communication device and not supporting the WPA3 Personal, in addition to the communication device; The memory card storing the setting file can be mounted on the other communication device, and the other communication device having the memory card storing the setting file imports the communication setting based on the stored setting file. A control method for a communication device, characterized in that.

5. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the communication device according to claim 4.

6. A communication device capable of performing wireless communication with an external device, Storage means for storing a communication setting including an authentication type parameter for the wireless communication; When the authentication type parameter included in the communication settings stored in the memory means is a first authentication type parameter indicating that it supports both WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) enterprise and WPA3 enterprise, the replacement means replaces the authentication type parameter with a second authentication type parameter indicating that it supports the WPA2 enterprise and does not indicate that it supports the WPA3 enterprise. The output means generates a setting file including the communication settings including at least the second authentication type parameter replaced by the replacement means, and outputs the generated setting file to a memory card mounted on the communication device. It has The setting file output by the output means is a setting file configured to be capable of performing an import process of communication settings using the setting file in another communication device different from the communication device and not supporting the WPA3 enterprise. The memory card storing the setting file can be mounted on the other communication device, and the other communication device mounted with the memory card storing the setting file imports the communication settings based on the stored setting file. A communication device characterized by that.

7. A communication device capable of performing wireless communication with an external device, A memory means for storing communication settings including an authentication type parameter for the wireless communication; When the authentication type parameter included in the communication settings stored in the memory means is a first authentication type parameter indicating that it supports both the Nth generation WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) in personal mode and the (N + 1)th generation WPA in personal mode, the replacement means replaces the authentication type parameter with a second authentication type parameter indicating that it supports the Nth generation WPS in personal mode and does not indicate that it supports the (N + 1)th generation WPS in personal mode. Output means for generating a configuration file including the communication configuration including at least the second authentication type parameter replaced by the replacement means, and outputting the generated configuration file to a memory card mounted on the communication device; having; The configuration file output by the output means is a configuration file configured to be capable of performing an import process of communication configuration using the configuration file in another communication device different from the communication device and not supporting the N+1 generation of WPS in the personal mode. The memory card storing the configuration file can be mounted on the other communication device, and the other communication device with the memory card storing the configuration file imports the communication configuration based on the stored configuration file. The communication device is characterized in that N is a natural number of 2 or more.

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