U.S. patent application number 15/412797 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for communication apparatus, communication method, and storage medium.
The applicant listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takafumi Nakajima.
Application Number | 20170215069 15/412797 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59359377 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170215069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakajima; Takafumi |
July 27, 2017 |
COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND STORAGE
MEDIUM
Abstract
A communication apparatus executes an authentication process
with a first other communication apparatus based on information
acquired from an image obtained by capturing code information of
the communication apparatus and receives, from the first other
communication apparatus, first information shared between the first
other communication apparatus and a second other communication
apparatus. The communication apparatus transmits a search signal
including second information based on the received first
information and has a smaller amount of information than the first
information, and transmits the first information to the second
other communication apparatus in a case where a response signal in
response to the search signal is received from the second other
communication apparatus, and then executes a setting process for
setting a communication parameter for communicating with the second
other communication apparatus.
Inventors: |
Nakajima; Takafumi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
59359377 |
Appl. No.: |
15/412797 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/06037 20130101;
G06K 19/06028 20130101; H04W 76/14 20180201; H04L 63/0884 20130101;
H04W 84/12 20130101; G06K 7/1413 20130101; G06K 7/1417 20130101;
H04L 63/0823 20130101; H04W 12/0609 20190101; H04W 76/15
20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 12/06 20060101
H04W012/06; G06K 7/14 20060101 G06K007/14; G06K 19/06 20060101
G06K019/06; H04W 76/02 20060101 H04W076/02; H04W 12/08 20060101
H04W012/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2016 |
JP |
2016-012864 |
Claims
1. A communication apparatus comprising: a first execution unit
configured to, based on information acquired from a captured image
corresponding to the communication apparatus, execute with a first
other communication apparatus an authentication process for the
first other communication apparatus to mediate wireless connection
between the communication apparatus and a second other
communication apparatus; a reception unit configured to, according
to the authentication process executed by the first execution unit,
receive, from the first other communication apparatus, first
information for the wireless connection with the second other
communication apparatus; a first transmission unit configured to
transmit by broadcast a search signal including second information
based on the received first information, has a smaller amount of
information than the received first information, and is used to
search for the second other communication apparatus; a second
transmission unit configured to transmit by unicast the received
first information to the second other communication apparatus in a
case where a response signal in response to the search signal
transmitted by the first transmission unit is received from the
second other communication apparatus; and a second execution unit
configured to, after the second transmission unit transmits the
received first information, execute a setting process for setting a
communication parameter for wirelessly connecting to the second
other communication apparatus and communicating with the second
other communication apparatus.
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
search signal is communicated as a communication frame including
the second information in a field defined to include identification
information of an apparatus or identification information of a
network.
3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second execution unit executes the setting process for setting the
communication parameter based on the first information.
4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second execution unit executes a 4-way handshake as the setting
process.
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
first execution unit executes the authentication process based on a
hash value for information acquired from the captured image.
6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a
case where the response signal includes the second information, the
second transmission unit transmits the received first information
to the second other communication apparatus.
7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a control unit configured to cause a display unit to
display code information, wherein the captured image is an image
obtained by capturing the displayed code information.
8. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
code information is a barcode or a two-dimensional code.
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
communication parameter includes at least one of a Service Set
Identifier (SSID), an encryption key, an encryption method, a
network key, an authentication key, or an authentication
method.
10. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
communication parameter is information for performing communication
compliant with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard.
11. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second information is a hash value for the first information.
12. A communication apparatus comprising: a first execution unit
configured to, based on information acquired from a captured image
corresponding to the communication apparatus, execute with a first
other communication apparatus an authentication process for the
first other communication apparatus to obtain authority to mediate
wireless connection between the communication apparatus and a
second other communication apparatus; an acquisition unit
configured to, according to the authentication process executed by
the first execution unit, acquire, from the first other
communication apparatus, first information provided for the second
other communication apparatus by the first other communication
apparatus in a process in which the first other communication
apparatus mediates the wireless connection between the
communication apparatus and the second other communication
apparatus; a reception unit configured to receive from the second
other communication apparatus a search signal transmitted by
broadcast and including second information based on the acquired
first information, has a smaller amount of information than the
acquired first information, and is used by the second other
communication apparatus to search for the communication apparatus;
a transmission unit configured to transmit a response signal to the
second other communication apparatus in a case where the reception
unit receives the search signal including the second information;
and a second execution unit configured to, in a case where the
received first information is received by unicast from the second
other communication apparatus after the response signal is
transmitted by the transmission unit, execute a setting process for
setting a communication parameter for wirelessly connecting to the
second other communication apparatus and communicating with the
second other communication apparatus.
13. A communication method comprising: executing, based on
information acquired from a captured image corresponding to a first
communication apparatus an authentication process for a second
communication apparatus to obtain authority to mediate wireless
connection between a first communication apparatus and a third
communication apparatus; acquiring, by the first communication
apparatus, first information necessary for the wireless connection
between the first communication apparatus and the third
communication apparatus; executing, based on information acquired
from a captured image corresponding to the third communication
apparatus, executing, an authentication process for the second
communication apparatus to mediate the wireless connection between
the first communication apparatus and the third communication
apparatus; acquiring the first information by the third
communication apparatus; transmitting, by broadcast from the third
communication apparatus, a search signal including second
information based on the first information acquired by the third
communication apparatus, has a smaller amount of information than
the first information, and is used to search for the first
communication apparatus; transmitting, in a case where the first
communication apparatus receives the search signal including the
second information transmitted from the third communication
apparatus, from the first communication apparatus a response signal
in response to the search signal; transmitting, after the response
signal is transmitted from the first communication apparatus, the
first information by unicast from the third communication apparatus
to the first communication apparatus; and executing, after the
first information is transmitted from the third communication
apparatus, a setting process for setting a communication parameter
for wirelessly connecting the first communication apparatus and the
third communication apparatus and causing the first communication
apparatus and the third communication apparatus to communicate with
each other.
14. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable
instructions for causing a computer to execute a method, the method
comprising: executing, based on information acquired from a
captured image corresponding to a first communication apparatus an
authentication process for a second communication apparatus to
obtain authority to mediate wireless connection between a first
communication apparatus and a third communication apparatus;
acquiring, by the first communication apparatus, first information
necessary for the wireless connection between the first
communication apparatus and the third communication apparatus;
executing, based on information acquired from a captured image
corresponding to the third communication apparatus, executing, an
authentication process for the second communication apparatus to
mediate the wireless connection between the first communication
apparatus and the third communication apparatus; acquiring the
first information by the third communication apparatus;
transmitting, by broadcast from the third communication apparatus,
a search signal including second information based on the first
information acquired by the third communication apparatus, has a
smaller amount of information than the first information, and is
used to search for the first communication apparatus; transmitting,
in a case where the first communication apparatus receives the
search signal including the second information transmitted from the
third communication apparatus, from the first communication
apparatus a response signal in response to the search signal;
transmitting, after the response signal is transmitted from the
first communication apparatus, the first information by unicast
from the third communication apparatus to the first communication
apparatus; and executing, after the first information is
transmitted from the third communication apparatus, a setting
process for setting a communication parameter for wirelessly
connecting the first communication apparatus and the third
communication apparatus and causing the first communication
apparatus and the third communication apparatus to communicate with
each other.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication
technique.
[0003] Description of the Related Art
[0004] In order for a communication apparatus to connect to a
wireless network and perform communication, it is necessary to set
various communication parameters such as an encryption method, an
encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication
key. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-60623 discusses
a technique for facilitating the setting of these communication
parameters. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2014-60623, a communication apparatus displays a Quick Response
(QR) code.RTM. including information of a communication parameter.
Then, the QR code.RTM. is read by capturing the QR code.RTM., and
the read communication parameter is set for an access point.
[0005] The Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi.RTM.) Alliance, which is an
industry organization for a wireless local area network (LAN), has
standardized a technique termed Wi-Fi Protected Setup.TM. (WPS), in
which a communication parameter is automatically set between
devices. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-220629
discusses a technique for setting a communication parameter using
WPS. In WPS, information for use in processing performed using WPS
is transmitted by being added as an Information Element
(hereinafter, an "IE") to a wireless LAN frame.
[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-60623
discusses setting a communication parameter using the capturing of
code information that encodes a large amount of information, such
as a two-dimensional code, whereby it is possible to reduce
complicated input by a user.
[0007] It is possible to transmit information necessary to set a
communication parameter using the capturing of code information by
adding the information to a communication frame as in WPS. If,
however, the information is transmitted by adding an information
element to a communication frame, a wireless resource (band) can
become limited.
[0008] For example, in a case where a search is performed for a
desired communication partner apparatus, a communication frame to
which information necessary to set a communication parameter is
added is transmitted by broadcast. Then, a plurality of apparatuses
receiving this communication frame can transmit response signals.
In this case, if each apparatus transmitting a response signal also
transmits a communication frame to which an information element is
added, the wireless resource can become more limited.
[0009] Thus, in a case where information necessary to set a
communication parameter using the capturing of code information is
added to a communication frame, it is desirable that the
information should have a smaller amount of information to reduce
limiting the wireless resource.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to an aspect of an embodiment, a communication
apparatus includes a first execution unit configured to, based on
information acquired from a captured image corresponding to the
communication apparatus, execute with a first other communication
apparatus an authentication process for the first other
communication apparatus to mediate wireless connection between the
communication apparatus and a second other communication apparatus,
a reception unit configured to, according to the authentication
process executed by the first execution unit, receive, from the
first other communication apparatus, first information for the
wireless connection with the second other communication apparatus,
a first transmission unit configured to transmit by broadcast a
search signal including second information based on the received
first information, has a smaller amount of information than the
received first information, and is used to search for the second
other communication apparatus, a second transmission unit
configured to transmit by unicast the received first information to
the second other communication apparatus in a case where a response
signal in response to the search signal transmitted by the first
transmission unit is received from the second other communication
apparatus, and a second execution unit configured to, after the
second transmission unit transmits the received first information,
execute a setting process for setting a communication parameter for
wirelessly connecting to the second other communication apparatus
and communicating with the second other communication
apparatus.
[0011] According to an aspect of an embodiment, a communication
apparatus includes a first execution unit configured to, based on
information acquired from a captured image corresponding to the
communication apparatus, execute with a first other communication
apparatus an authentication process for the first other
communication apparatus to obtain authority to mediate wireless
connection between the communication apparatus and a second other
communication apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to,
according to the authentication process executed by the first
execution unit, acquire, from the first other communication
apparatus, first information provided for the second other
communication apparatus by the first other communication apparatus
in a process in which the first other communication apparatus
mediates the wireless connection between the communication
apparatus and the second other communication apparatus, a reception
unit configured to receive from the second other communication
apparatus a search signal transmitted by broadcast and including
second information based on the acquired first information, has a
smaller amount of information than the acquired first information,
and is used by the second other communication apparatus to search
for the communication apparatus, a transmission unit configured to
transmit a response signal to the second other communication
apparatus, in a case where the reception unit receives the search
signal including the second information, and a second execution
unit configured to, in a case where the received first information
is received by unicast from the second other communication
apparatus after the response signal is transmitted by the
transmission unit, execute a setting process for setting a
communication parameter for wirelessly connecting to the second
other communication apparatus and communicating with the second
other communication apparatus.
[0012] Further features will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication system according to the present exemplary
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
communication apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sequence chart of the
communication system.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a
smartphone.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a
printer.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a search
request signal transmission process of the printer.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of
an access point.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] With reference to the drawings, a communication apparatus
according to the present exemplary embodiment is described in
detail below. A description is provided below of an example where a
wireless local area network (LAN) system compliant with the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11
series is used. The communication form, however, is not necessarily
limited to a wireless LAN compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series.
Alternatively, the present exemplary embodiment is also applicable
to a communication apparatus compliant with another wireless
communication method such as Bluetooth.RTM., near field
communication (NFC), or ZigBee. Yet alternatively, the present
exemplary embodiment is also applicable to a communication
apparatus compliant with a wired communication method such as a
wired LAN.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a communication system
according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates a
smartphone 101 and an access point (hereinafter, "AP") 102, which
is a base station. FIG. 1 also illustrates a printer 103 and a
wireless network 104, which is formed between the apparatuses in
this communication system. In the present exemplary embodiment, the
wireless network 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a wireless LAN
compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series. The wireless network 104 is
a communication network formed by the AP 102.
[0022] In the present exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 operates as
an access point in an infrastructure mode defined by the IEEE
802.11 standard. Further, each of the other apparatuses operates as
a station (STA) in the infrastructure mode defined by the IEEE
802.11 standard. The description is provided based on the
assumption that the apparatuses in the communication system
according to the present exemplary embodiment are a smartphone and
a printer. Alternatively, the apparatuses in the communication
system can be other apparatuses such as a mobile phone, a personal
computer (PC), a video camera, a smartwatch, a personal digital
assistant (PDA), and a camera. Although the description is provided
based on the assumption that the number of the apparatuses in the
communication system is three, the number of the apparatuses can be
two or four or more.
[0023] A description is provided below of a case where a
communication parameter setting process for connecting the AP 102
and the printer 103 via a wireless LAN is executed via the
smartphone 101. A communication parameter includes various wireless
communication parameters for making a wireless connection and
performing wireless communication in compliance with the IEEE
802.11 standard. That is, the communication parameter includes
communication parameters necessary to perform wireless LAN
communication, such as a Service Set Identifier (SSID) as a network
identifier, an encryption method, a network key, an encryption key,
an authentication method, and an authentication key. The
communication parameter can also include a media access control
(MAC) address, a passphrase, an Internet Protocol (IP) address for
communicating on an IP layer, and information necessary for an
upper service. The communication parameter can include any one or
all of the above parameters.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, a hardware configuration of each
of the apparatuses (the smartphone 101, the AP 102, and the printer
103) in the communication system according to the present exemplary
embodiment is described. FIG. 2 illustrates an entire apparatus
300. A function unit 301 is hardware for the communication
apparatus 300 to execute predetermined processing. For example, in
a case where the communication apparatus 300 is the smartphone 101,
the function unit 301 is an image capture unit, includes an image
sensor and a lens, and captures still moving images. For example,
in a case where the communication apparatus 300 is the AP 102, the
function unit 301 is a control processing unit for operating as a
wireless LAN base station. For example, in a case where the
communication apparatus 300 is the printer 103, the function unit
301 is a printing unit and performs a printing process.
[0025] An operation unit 302 enables a user to provide various
inputs to operate the communication apparatus 300. The operation
unit 302 stores a flag corresponding to an input in a memory such
as a storage unit 306. A display unit 303 displays visually
recognizable information and in some instances outputs sound. In a
case where the display unit 303 displays visual information, the
display unit 303 includes a video random-access memory (VRAM) for
holding image data corresponding to the visual information to be
displayed. The display unit 303 performs display control for
continuing to display image data stored in the VRAM. A power supply
unit 304 is for supplying power to each piece of hardware. The
power supply unit 304 acquires power from, for example, a battery
or an alternating current (AC) power supply.
[0026] A control unit 305 executes a control program stored in the
storage unit 306, thereby controlling the entire apparatus. The
control unit 305 includes a central processing unit (CPU) or a
microprocessor unit (MPU). The control unit 305 can control the
entire communication apparatus 300 in cooperation with an operating
system (OS) executed by the control unit 305. The control unit 305
also performs control to communicate and share a communication
parameter with another communication apparatus. Various operations
described below are performed by the control unit 305 executing the
control program stored in the storage unit 306.
[0027] The storage unit 306 stores various pieces of information
such as a control program to be executed by the control unit 305
and information of a communication partner apparatus. The storage
unit 306 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD),
a flash memory, an attachable and detachable Secure Digital (SD)
card, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random-access memory
(RAM).
[0028] An antenna 307 is an antenna that communicates in the 2.4
GHz band and/or the 5 GHz band for performing wireless LAN
communication. A communication unit 308 is hardware for performing
wireless LAN communication compliant with the IEEE 802.11 series.
The communication unit 308 includes a chip for performing wireless
communication.
[0029] An operation of the communication system having the above
configuration will now be described. The smartphone 101 performs
with the AP 102 an authentication process, using the capturing of
code information, for obtaining authority to operate as a
management apparatus for mediating a process of setting a
communication parameter for another apparatus. According to the
authentication process with the AP 102, the smartphone 101 shares,
with the AP 102, certification information certifying that the
smartphone 101 is the management apparatus. Then, the smartphone
101 provides the printer 103 with the certification information
using the capturing of code information. The printer 103 transmits
search identification information based on the provided
certification information by including the search identification
information in a field determined in advance in a communication
frame, and searches for the AP 102. Detecting the AP 102 according
to the search, the printer 103 transmits certification information
by unicast and connects to the wireless network 104 through a
communication parameter setting process with the AP 102.
[0030] With reference to a sequence chart illustrated in FIG. 3, an
operation of the communication system according to the present
exemplary embodiment is described. In FIG. 3, after receiving a
process start instruction from the user, in F401, the smartphone
101 starts the function unit (image capture unit) 301. For example,
the smartphone 101 can, on the display unit 303, display an
instruction for the user to capture code information of an access
point, such as "Please capture a QR code.RTM. of an AP". A QR
code.RTM. of the AP 102 can be included on a label or sticker
attached to AP 102 or in the AP's 102 instruction manual. It can
also be displayed on AP's 102 display unit 303. That is,
information for use in a communication parameter setting process is
acquired from a captured image of code information corresponding to
an apparatus, such as displayed code information or code
information described on a label.
[0031] If the QR code.RTM. is captured using the function unit
(image capture unit) 301, then in F402, the smartphone 101 decodes
the QR code.RTM. based on the captured image. Although the
description is provided on the assumption that code information to
be captured is a QR code.RTM., another type of code information
such as a barcode or a Computer Purpose (CP) code can be used.
[0032] In a case where information necessary for the communication
parameter setting process is not included in the QR code.RTM.
captured and acquired in F402, the processing can end in an
error.
[0033] The smartphone 101 acquires, as the information necessary
for the communication parameter setting process from the code
information, a public key and an identifier of the apparatus that
are information for use in an authentication process. The
identifier of the apparatus can be, for example, an MAC address or
a universally unique identifier (UUID). Using the information for
use in the authentication process obtained from the captured QR
code.RTM., the smartphone 101 generates authentication information
for use in the authentication process. At this time, the QR
code.RTM. includes information of a public key, and the smartphone
101 calculates a hash value for the public key, thereby obtaining
the authentication information. A hash function used to generate
the hash value can be SHA-1, SHA-2, or MD5.
[0034] In F403, the smartphone 101 generates authentication
information and then starts the authentication process based on the
generated authentication information. A signal to be exchanged in
the authentication process can be communicated in the state of
being encrypted using the Diffie-Hellman (DH) key exchange method
or a public key encryption method. In the authentication process,
the smartphone 101 transmits to the AP 102 an authentication
request signal requesting an authentication process. At this time,
the authentication request signal uses an action frame defined by
the IEEE 802.11 series. The present exemplary embodiment, however,
is not limited to this. Alternatively, an Extensible Authentication
Protocol (EAP) signal can be used, or a wireless LAN packet such as
a probe request other than an EAP signal can be used. This
authentication request signal includes the generated authentication
information. The authentication request signal can be transmitted
by unicast, using the identifier of the apparatus obtained from the
code information. Further, the authentication request signal can
include, in addition to the authentication information, another
piece of information for use in the authentication process, such as
random numbers, an encryption key, e.g., a public key of the
smartphone 101, or an apparatus name.
[0035] If receiving the authentication request signal, the AP 102
compares the authentication information included in the
authentication request signal with authentication information
generated based on a public key of the AP 102 itself, thereby
performing authentication. If the authentication information
included in the received authentication request signal matches the
generated authentication information, authentication in the
authentication process is successful. The AP 102 then transmits an
authentication response signal indicating the authentication
result.
[0036] The smartphone 101 waits for the authentication response
signal including the result of the authentication process in the AP
102 and the authentication information generated by the AP 102.
Upon receipt of the authentication response signal, the smartphone
101 performs authentication based on information included in the
received authentication response signal. In this authentication,
for example, authentication can be performed using a public key
encryption method, and both apparatuses can share a common key that
is the same encryption key. The smartphone 101 can perform
authentication by determining whether the authentication
information included in the received authentication response signal
matches the generated authentication information. If the
authentication information included in the received authentication
response signal matches the generated authentication information,
the authentication in the authentication process is successful.
Further, the smartphone 101 transmits an authentication
confirmation signal indicating the authentication result.
[0037] The smartphone 101 determines whether the authentication
process is successful. If the authentication process is
unsuccessful, the processing ends in an error. If the
authentication process is successful, the smartphone 101 is in the
state of, as a result of the successful authentication process,
holding a shared key for use in the subsequent cryptographic
communication, together with the AP 102.
[0038] If the authentication process ends, the smartphone 101
transmits to the AP 102 the authentication confirmation signal
indicating the success or failure of the authentication process. If
the authentication process is successful, the smartphone 101
shares, with the AP 102, the certification information certifying
that the smartphone 101 obtains authority as a management
apparatus.
[0039] The sharing of the certification information can be
performed by providing the AP 102 with information generated by the
smartphone 101, or providing the smartphone 101 with information
generated by the AP 102.
[0040] The certification information is encrypted using the common
key shared in the authentication process. This can improve security
for exchanging the certification information.
[0041] If the AP 102 acquires the certification information by the
above processing, the AP 102 registers the smartphone 101 as the
management apparatus of the network. The management apparatus is an
apparatus having authority to mediate the setting of a
communication parameter for another apparatus using the capturing
of code information. That is, the apparatus successfully
authenticated in the above authentication process with the AP 102
can obtain authority as the management apparatus.
[0042] The certification information shared between the apparatuses
can include the public key of the smartphone 101 and/or the public
key of the AP 102. The certification information can also include a
communication parameter for communicating in the wireless network
104 formed by the AP 102. The certification information can also
include channel information indicating a frequency band of the
wireless network 104 formed by the AP 102.
[0043] The certification information can include identification
information of the smartphone 101 and/or the AP 102. The
certification information can include information for generating a
communication parameter for communicating in the wireless network
104 formed by the AP 102. The certification information can include
the authentication information for use in the above authentication
process. The certification information can include the common key
generated according to the above authentication process. The
certification information can include identification information
for the communication parameter setting process. The certification
information can include priority information indicating the
priority of the communication parameter setting process. The
certification information can include identification information of
the wireless network 104 formed by the AP 102.
[0044] Based on a communication parameter provided by the
smartphone 101 in a case where the authentication process is
successful, the AP 102 can form the wireless network 104.
[0045] The smartphone 101 and the AP 102 generate search
identification information based on the certification information.
The search identification information is, in a case where the
management apparatus mediates the setting of a communication
parameter for another apparatus using the capturing of code
information, information used by another apparatus to search for an
access point or a wireless network as a connection target. The
search identification information can be uniquely and randomly
generated based on the certification information. The search
identification information can be generated by calculating a hash
value for authentication information, using a hash function. The
sharing of the search identification information can be performed
by providing the AP 102 with information generated by the
smartphone 101, or providing the smartphone 101 with information
generated by the AP 102. Alternatively, the search identification
information can be generated by each of the smartphone 101 and the
AP 102.
[0046] Upon acquiring the certification information, the AP 102
stores the smartphone 101 as the management apparatus. The AP 102
registers the MAC address of the smartphone 101, the certification
information, the authentication information, and/or the common key
in association with each other in a management apparatus list.
[0047] A description will not be provided of an operation in which
the smartphone 101, having obtained authority as the management
apparatus, mediates a process of connecting the printer 103 to the
wireless network 104. In F404, if instructed by the user to set a
communication parameter, the printer 103 displays a QR code.RTM.
including information necessary to set the communication
parameter.
[0048] If instructed by the user to set a communication parameter
for another apparatus, the smartphone 101 starts the function unit
(image capture unit) 301. After the process illustrated in F403
with the AP 102 ends, the smartphone 101 can automatically start
the function unit (image capture unit) 301. In this case, the
smartphone 101 can sequentially navigate the user to "Please
capture a QR code.RTM. of an AP" and "Please capture a QR code.RTM.
of a printer" on the display unit 303 of the smartphone 101.
[0049] In F405, the smartphone 101 captures the QR code.RTM.
displayed on the printer 103 and acquires, from the QR code.RTM.,
information necessary to set the communication parameter. Using the
information obtained from the QR code.RTM., the smartphone 101
generates authentication information for use in an authentication
process. The smartphone 101 performs the authentication process
with the printer 103 based on the generated authentication
information. If the authentication process is successful, then in
F406, the smartphone 101 provides the printer 103 with the
certification information shared with the AP 102. The
authentication process in F406 is similar to the process described
in F403.
[0050] If sharing the certification information, the smartphone 101
and the printer 103 also share search identification information.
The smartphone 101 and the printer 103 share the search
identification information shared between the smartphone 101 and
the AP 102. The sharing of the search identification information
can be performed by the smartphone 101 providing the printer 103
with the search identification information shared with the AP 102.
Alternatively, the search identification information can be
generated by the printer 103 based on the certification
information. The search identification information has a smaller
amount of information than the certification information.
[0051] After acquiring the search identification information and
the certification information, in F407, the printer 103 transmits,
by broadcast, a search request signal for searching for the AP 102
as a connection target. The search request signal transmitted in
F407 includes the search identification information. The search
request signal uses, for example, an action frame defined by the
IEEE 802.11 series. The present exemplary example however, is not
limited to this. Alternatively, an EAP signal can be used or a
wireless LAN packet such as a probe request other than the EAP
signal can be used.
[0052] The search identification information is transmitted by
being included in a field determined in advance in a frame for use
in communication. The search identification information is
transmitted by, for example, being added to a field including the
MAC address of the transmission destination or the transmission
source. The MAC address is information using 48 bits. That is, if
transmitted by being added to the field of the MAC address, the
search identification information uses 48 bits. Thus, the amount of
information is reduced as compared with a case where a dedicated IE
indicating the communication parameter setting process used in the
code information is added.
[0053] The search identification information can be transmitted by,
for example, being added to a field including a Basic Service Set
Identifier (BSSID) or an SSID as a network identifier. The BSSID
uses 48 bits (6 octets), and the SSID uses 32 octets. Thus, if
transmitted by being added to the field of the BSSID, the search
identification information uses 48 bits (6 octets). Thus, the
amount of information is reduced as compared with a case where a
dedicated IE is added. If transmitted by being added to the field
of the SSID, the search identification information uses 32 octets.
Thus, the amount of information is reduced as compared with a case
where a dedicated IE is added. The search identification
information can be added to, for example, a field including a
Homogeneous Extended Service Set Identifier (HESSID) defined by
IEEE 802.11u. The HESSID uses 6 octets.
[0054] Upon receipt of the search request signal from the printer
103, the AP 102 acquires information added to the field including
the search identification information. The AP 102 compares the
information added to the field including the search identification
information with the search identification information shared with
the apparatus registered as the management apparatus. If the
information added to the field including the search identification
information matches the search identification information shared
with the apparatus registered as the management apparatus, the AP
102 transmits a response signal. If the information added to the
field including the search identification information does not
match the search identification information shared with the
apparatus registered as the management apparatus, the AP 102 does
not transmit a response signal.
[0055] The response signal uses, for example, an action frame
defined by the IEEE 802.11 series. The present exemplary embodiment
however, is not limited to this. Alternatively, an EAP signal can
be used or a wireless LAN packet such as a probe response other
than the EAP signal can be used. The AP 102 transmits the response
signal by adding the search identification information to a field
including predetermined identification information such as an MAC
address or a network identifier. As described above, a scanning
process in a communication parameter setting process performed
using the capturing of code information is executed by adding
information indicating the scanning process to a field defined in
advance in an existing communication frame in the state where the
amount of information is reduced. Thus, it is not necessary to
provide an IE, which leads to the addition of an amount of
information, in information for use in the scanning process, and it
is possible to detect a desired communication partner while
increasing the availability of a wireless resource.
[0056] Since the information added to the field including the
search identification information matches the search identification
information shared with the smartphone 101 that is registered as
the management apparatus, in F408, the AP 102 transmits a response
signal.
[0057] That is, based on the search identification information, the
AP 102 can determine whether the printer 103 is a target apparatus
of the communication parameter setting process. Upon receipt of the
response signal in response to the search request signal, the
printer 103 extracts information from the field including the
search identification information in the received response signal.
The printer 103 determines whether the extracted information
matches the search identification information included in the
search request signal transmitted in F407. If the extracted
information does not match the search identification information,
the printer 103 can transmit a search request signal, or the
processing can end in an error.
[0058] If the information extracted from the response signal
matches the search identification information included in the
search request signal transmitted in F407, then in F409, the
printer 103 transmits the certification information by unicast to
the AP 102 as the transmission source of the response signal. Upon
receipt of the certification information, in F410, based on whether
the certification information held in the AP 102 matches the
received certification information, the AP 102 determines whether
the communication parameter setting process is to be executed with
the printer 103. If the certification information held in the AP
102 matches the received certification information, the AP 102
determines that the communication parameter setting process is to
be executed. In the determination in F410, it can be determined
whether the printer 103 can connect to the wireless network 104.
Since the search identification information has an amount of
information reduced from the certification information, it is
determined, based on the certification information having a larger
amount of information, whether the communication parameter setting
process is to be executed, whereby it is possible to improve
security. The certification information is exchanged by unicast,
whereby it is possible to minimize the use of a wireless
resource.
[0059] The AP 102 checks whether an apparatus indicated by
administrator information included in the received certification
information is the registered management apparatus. The AP 102
permits the connection of the transmission source of the
certification information including the administrator information
indicating the registered management apparatus, and does not permit
the connection of the transmission source of a connection request
signal including the administrator information indicating a
management apparatus that is not registered. Further, the AP 102
executes the communication parameter setting process with the
transmission source of the certification information including the
administrator information indicating the registered management
apparatus, and does not execute the communication parameter setting
process with the transmission source of the certification
information including the administrator information indicating a
management apparatus that is not registered.
[0060] In F411, the AP 102 transmits, to the printer 103, a
notification indicating the result of the determination in F410.
The information transmitted in F411 can include the certification
information. The notification in F411 indicates that the
communication parameter setting process is to be executed.
[0061] In F412, the AP 102 and the printer 103 execute the
communication parameter setting process, in which the apparatuses
share a communication parameter for communicating in the wireless
network 104. In F412, the AP 102 provides the communication
parameter for the printer 103. The communication parameter setting
process in F412 can be a 4-way handshake executed based on a
pre-shared key included in the authentication information. In the
communication parameter setting process in F412, both the AP 102
and the printer 103 can be encrypted by the encryption key shared
according to the authentication process with the smartphone 101.
The printer 103 is enabled to connect to the AP 102 based on the
acquired communication parameter.
[0062] With reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4, an
operation of the smartphone 101 will be described. The flowchart in
FIG. 4 is started after the user provides, through the operation
unit 302, an instruction to start the setting of a communication
parameter. The flowchart in FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of processing
performed by the control unit 305 reading and executing a computer
program stored in the storage unit 306. The configuration can be
such that some or all of steps in the flowchart illustrated in FIG.
4 are achieved by hardware such as an application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0063] Upon receipt of an instruction to start processing, in step
S501, the smartphone 101 captures a QR code.RTM. using the function
unit (image capture unit) 301 and decodes the captured QR
code.RTM.. Then, if the content of the captured QR code.RTM. is
information necessary to set a communication parameter (YES in step
S501), the processing proceeds to step S502. If the captured QR
code.RTM. does not include information necessary to set a
communication parameter (NO in step S501), the processing can end
in an error. In this case, information regarding the failure
causing the end in an error or format incompatibility can be
indicated on the display unit 303.
[0064] In step S502, the smartphone 101 performs an authentication
process based on information included in the QR code.RTM.. The
details of the authentication process are similar to the contents
described in F403 and F406. In step S503, the smartphone 101
determines whether the authentication process in step S502 is
successful. If the authentication process is unsuccessful (NO in
step S503), the processing ends. If the authentication process is
successful (YES in step S503), then in step S504, the smartphone
101 shares the certification information and the search
identification information with a partner apparatus. The details of
the process of step S504 are similar to the contents described in
F403 and F406.
[0065] With reference to flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,
operations of the printer 103 will now be described. The flowchart
in FIG. 5 is started after the user provides, through the operation
unit 302, an instruction to start the setting of a communication
parameter. The flowchart in FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of processing
performed by the control unit 305 reading and executing a computer
program stored in the storage unit 306. The configuration can be
such that some or all of steps in the flowcharts illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6 are achieved by hardware such as an ASIC.
[0066] Upon receipt of an instruction to start processing, in step
S601, the printer 103 displays on the display unit 303 a QR
code.RTM. obtained by encoding information necessary for a
communication parameter setting process. In step S602, the printer
103 determines whether an authentication process is started. If the
authentication process is started (YES in step S602), then in steps
S603 to S605, the printer 103 executes the process described in
F406. If the authentication process is successful (YES in step
S604), the apparatuses share the certification information and the
search identification information. Then, in step S606, the printer
103 performs a process of transmitting a search request signal for
searching for a communication apparatus or a wireless network as a
connection target.
[0067] With reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, the
process of step S606 will now be described. In FIG. 6, in step
S701, the printer 103 determines whether the printer 103 includes
the identification information of a search target device. The case
where the printer 103 includes the identification information of a
search target device is a case where the printer 103 acquires the
identification information of the search target device in the
process of step S605. If the printer 103 includes the
identification information of a search target device (YES in step
S701), the processing proceeds to step S702. If the printer 103
does not include the identification information of a search target
device (NO in step S701), the processing proceeds to step S707.
Alternatively, if it is determined that the printer 103 includes
the identification information of a search target device, the
processing can proceed to step S704.
[0068] In step S702, the printer 103 determines whether the printer
103 includes channel information of the search target device. The
case where the printer 103 includes the channel information is a
case where the printer 103 acquires the channel information in the
process of step S605, similarly to the identification information
of the target device. If the printer 103 includes the channel
information (YES in step S702), the processing proceeds to step
S703. If the printer 103 does not includes the channel information
(NO in step S702), the processing proceeds to step S704.
[0069] In step S703, since the printer 103 stores the
identification information and the channel information of the
search target device, the printer 103 can communicate with the
search target device without executing a search process. Thus, the
printer 103 determines that no search request signal is to be
transmitted. Then, the search request signal transmission process
ends. Even if the printer 103 stores the channel information in
step S702, the processing can proceed to step S704. Then, the
printer 103 can transmit a search request signal.
[0070] In step S704, the printer 103 determines that a search
request signal is to be transmitted by unicast such that the
destination is the identification information of the search target
device. Then, the processing proceeds to step S705. In step S705,
the printer 103 performs a process of including, in the search
request signal, search identification information for determining
whether the communication parameter setting process is to be
executed with the search target device. Then, in step S706, the
printer 103 transmits the search request signal.
[0071] In step S707, the printer 103 determines that a search
request signal is to be transmitted by broadcast. Then, the
processing proceeds to step S705. If the channel information is not
acquired, the search request signal can be transmitted to all the
channels. If the channel information is acquired, the search
request signal can just be transmitted to a channel indicated by
the channel information.
[0072] Alternatively, when it is determined in step S701 that the
printer 103 includes the identification information of a target
device, the processing can proceed to step S703. Then, the printer
103 can determine that no search request signal is to be
transmitted. A search request signal can be transmitted by being
encrypted by an encryption key acquired according to the
authentication process.
[0073] Referring back to FIG. 5, in step S607, the printer 103
determines whether the search request signal is transmitted. If the
search request signal is not transmitted (NO in step S607), the
processing proceeds to step S610. If the search request signal is
transmitted (YES in step S607), then in step S608, the printer 103
waits to receive a search response signal in response to the search
request signal. If the search response signal is received (YES in
step S608), then in step S609, the printer 103 determines whether
the apparatus as the transmission source of the search response
signal is a target device to be subjected to the communication
parameter setting process. The determination in step S609 can be
made based on the search identification information included in the
search response signal.
[0074] If it is not determined that the transmission source of the
search response signal is a target device to be subjected to the
communication parameter setting process (NO in step S609), the
processing ends. Alternatively, the printer 103 can perform the
processes of step S606 and thereafter again.
[0075] If it is determined that the transmission source of the
search response signal is a target device to be subjected to the
communication parameter setting process, then in step S610, the
printer 103 transmits by unicast the certification information
acquired in step S605. In step S612, the printer 103 determines
whether a notification that the communication parameter setting
process is to be executed is received. Upon receipt of the
notification that the communication parameter setting process is to
be executed (YES in step S612), in step S613, the printer 103
executes the communication parameter setting process.
Alternatively, based on the certification information included in
the notification received in step S612, the printer 103 can
determine whether the communication parameter setting process is to
be executed. The details of the process of step S613 are similar to
the content described in F412.
[0076] With reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, an
operation of the AP 102 will now be described. The flowchart in
FIG. 7 is started in a case where a signal requesting an
authentication process is received by the AP 102. The flowchart in
FIG. 7 illustrates a flow of processing performed by the control
unit 305 reading and executing a computer program stored in the
storage unit 306. The configuration can be such that some or all of
steps in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7 are achieved by
hardware such as an ASIC.
[0077] Upon receipt of a signal requesting an authentication
process (YES in step S800), then in step S801, the AP 102 performs
an authentication process with the transmission source of the
signal and shares the authentication information and the search
identification information with the transmission source. The
process of step S801 is similar to the process described in F403.
Then, in step S802, the AP 102 waits for a search request signal.
Upon receipt of the search request signal (YES in step S802), in
step S803, the AP 102 determines, based on whether the search
identification information included in the search request signal
matches the search identification information held in the AP 102,
whether the transmission source of the signal is a target device of
a communication parameter setting process. If it is determined that
the transmission source of the signal is not the target device of
the communication parameter setting process (NO in step S803), the
AP 102 executes the processes of step S802 and thereafter again. If
it is determined that the transmission source of the signal is the
target device of the communication parameter setting process (YES
in step S803), then in step S804, the AP 102 transmits a search
response signal. The search response signal includes the search
identification information.
[0078] In step S805, the AP 102 receives the certification
information. In step S806, based on whether the received
certification information matches the search identification
information held in the AP 102, the AP 102 determines whether the
communication parameter setting process is to be executed with the
transmission source. In steps S807 and S808, the AP 102 transmits a
notification indicating the determination result in step S806. The
certification information can be added to the notification. If
transmitting the notification that the communication parameter
setting process is to be executed, then in step S809, the AP 102
executes the communication parameter setting process. The process
of step S809 is similar to the process of the content described in
F412.
[0079] As described above, according to the present exemplary
embodiment, a scanning process in a communication parameter setting
process performed using the capturing of code information is
executed by adding information indicating the scanning process to a
field defined in advance in an existing communication frame in the
state where the amount of information is reduced. Thus, it is not
necessary to provide an IE, which leads to the addition of an
amount of information, in information for use in the scanning
process, and it is possible to detect a desired communication
partner while improving the availability of a wireless
resource.
[0080] Since search identification information has an amount of
information reduced from the certification information, it is
determined, based on the certification information having a larger
amount of information, whether the communication parameter setting
process is to be executed, whereby it is possible to improve
security. The certification information is exchanged by unicast,
whereby it is possible to minimize the use of a wireless
resource.
[0081] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the
smartphone 101 provides each target apparatus with the search
identification information for searching for a target apparatus of
the communication parameter setting process, whereby it is possible
to perform the parameter setting process by making effective use of
a wireless resource.
[0082] In the present exemplary embodiment, a case has been
described where information necessary for a communication parameter
setting process is acquired from a QR code.RTM.. The present
exemplary embodiment however, is not limited to this.
Alternatively, information necessary for a communication parameter
setting process can be exchanged through secure proximity wireless
communication such as NFC communication. In addition, the exchange
between these apparatuses can be performed using communication
other than wireless LAN communication, such as Bluetooth.RTM..
Wireless communication such as IEEE 802.11 or TransferJet.RTM. can
also be used.
[0083] Information necessary for a communication parameter setting
process can be exchanged through communication via a wireless local
area network (WLAN), using a secure link or an action frame. At
this time, the action frame itself can be encrypted. For the
encryption, for example, any character string can be set between
apparatuses, and then, the action frame can be encrypted based on
information of the character string. At this time, the smartphone
101 and a target apparatus can exchange information of both
apparatuses.
[0084] Displaying of a QR code.RTM. is not limited to displaying on
the display unit 303. Alternatively, for example, a QR code.RTM.
can be included in the form of a seal/sticker/label on a housing of
a communication device, can be included in a communication device's
instruction manual, or can be included on a packaging such as a
corrugated fiberboard used to ship/sell a communication device. In
addition to a QR code.RTM., another two-dimensional code such as a
one-dimensional code, e.g., a barcode, or a CP code can be used.
Instead of information in machine-readable format, such as a QR
code.RTM., information in a format readable by a user can be used.
The AP 102 or the printer 103 can include a function of a web
server to display a QR code.RTM. on a web page.
[0085] A case has been described where the apparatuses communicate
with each other through wireless LAN communication compliant with
the IEEE 802.11 standard. The present exemplary embodiment however,
is not limited to this. Alternatively, the apparatuses can
communicate with each other using a wireless communication medium
such as wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), MultiBand OFDM
Alliance (MBOA), Bluetooth.RTM., ultra-band (UWB), ZigBee, or NFC.
UWB includes wireless USB, wireless 1394, and WiNET.
[0086] A description has been provided of processing in which the
printer 103 sets a communication parameter for the AP 102.
Alternatively, the smartphone 101 can set a communication
parameter. In this case, the smartphone 101 includes a
communication parameter for connecting to the AP 102, and the
smartphone 101 and the printer 103 perform a communication
parameter setting process. In this case, an opposing device on
which the printer 103 performs the communication parameter setting
process is the smartphone 101. This can be achieved by the
smartphone 101 performing processing similar to the processing
performed by the AP 102 in the present exemplary embodiment.
[0087] The smartphone 101 can perform a communication parameter
setting process on the AP 102. This can be achieved by replacing
the printer 103 and the AP 102 in the present exemplary embodiment
with the AP 102 and the smartphone 101, respectively. The
smartphone 101 generates a communication parameter for the AP 102,
and the communication parameter is set for the AP 102 by the
parameter setting process.
[0088] A case has been described where the AP 102 and the printer
103 connect to each other in the infrastructure mode of a wireless
LAN. The present exemplary embodiment however, is not limited to
this. Alternatively, for example, the AP 102 and the printer 103
can connect to each other in an ad hoc mode of a wireless LAN, or
can connect to each other using Wi-Fi Direct.RTM.. When the
smartphone 101 and the printer 103 include Wi-Fi Direct.RTM.
connection functions, the apparatuses can connect to each other in
a form of Wi-Fi Direct.RTM.. After the setting of a communication
parameter is completed, either the smartphone 101 or the printer
103 operates as a Wi-Fi Direct.RTM. group owner and constructs a
wireless network using a shared communication parameter. The other
apparatus, which is not the group owner, connects as a Wi-Fi
Direct.RTM. client to the group owner, whereby it is possible to
establish a connection in the form of Wi-Fi Direct.RTM..
[0089] According to the above description, information necessary to
set a communication parameter using the capturing of code
information is communicated in the state where the information has
a smaller amount of information. Thus, it is possible to increase
the availability of a wireless resource.
Other Embodiments
[0090] Embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system
or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable
instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage
medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a
`non-transitory computer-readable storage medium`) to perform the
functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s)
and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method
performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for
example, reading out and executing the computer executable
instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling
the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of
the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro
processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate
computers or separate processors to read out and execute the
computer executable instructions. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD).TM.), a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
[0091] While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
[0092] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2016-012864, filed Jan. 26, 2016, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
* * * * *