Communication device, control method therefor, and program

• US 8,660,031 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Goto, Fumihide
• Primary Examiner(s): ABELSON, RONALD B
• Application Number:
  US13/254,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20110317680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 370/252, 370/254, 370/328, 370/329
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Even when a plurality of communication parameter providing devices exist, a communication parameter setting process is enabled.

When a plurality of communication parameter providing devices exist, one of the communication parameter providing devices is determined. For example, all the communication parameter providing devices are caused to stop the providing process. Alternatively, a user is allowed to select a communication parameter providing device. Alternatively, a communication parameter providing device is determined in accordance with a predetermined rule.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising:

a search unit configured to search for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

a transmission unit configured to transmit, in a case where the search unit detects a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, a message for stopping an operation as a communication parameter providing device to the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the transmission unit transmits the message in a case where the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present in different networks.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the message in accordance with a network in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit does not transmit the message in a case where the detected communication parameter providing devices are present in an identical network.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit does not transmit the message in a case where the detected communication parameter providing devices are operating in an identical channel.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a selection unit configured to select, from among the plurality of communication parameter providing devices detected by the search unit, a communication parameter providing device from which a communication parameter is to be received; and

a deciding unit configured to decide whether the transmission unit transmits the message or the selection unit selects a communication parameter providing device.

6. A communication device comprising:

a search unit configured to search for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

a selection unit for selecting a communication parameter providing device from which a communication parameter is to be received among detected plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the selection unit is configured to cause a display unit to display information for allowing a user to select a communication parameter providing device.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit allows a user to select a communication parameter providing device among the plurality of communication parameter providing devices in accordance with a network in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present.

8. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit allows a user to select a communication parameter providing device in accordance with a channel in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are operating.

9. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication parameter is a parameter for communication based on IEEE802.11 series.

10. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication parameter includes at least one of a network identifier, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method and an authentication key.

11. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication parameter includes at least information on a network identifier, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method and an authentication key.

12. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication device is configured to obtain the communication parameter from the communication parameter providing device selected by the selection unit.

13. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the communication device is configured to obtain the communication parameter from the communication parameter providing device selected by the selection unit with a signal defined by WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

14. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the search unit is configured to transmit a search signal and receive a response signal to the search signal so as to search for the communication parameter providing device.

15. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit is configured to select a communication parameter providing device to receive the communication parameter from among the plurality of communication parameter providing devices that has established a wireless network.

16. A communication device comprising:

a search unit configured to search for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

a waiting unit configured to wait for, in a case where the search unit detects a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined; and

an execution unit for executing, after the waiting unit has waited, a communication parameter setting process with the determined one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the waiting unit waits for one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined in accordance with a network in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the waiting unit waits for one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined in accordance with a channel in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are operating.

18. A control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

transmitting, upon detection of a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, a message for stopping an operation as a communication parameter providing device to the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the transmitting transmits the message in a case where the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present in different networks.

19. A control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter;

selecting a communication parameter providing device from which a communication parameter is to be received among detected plurality of communication parameter providing devices; and

displaying information for allowing a user to select a communication parameter providing device.

20. A control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

waiting for, upon detection of a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined; and

executing a communication parameter setting process with the determined one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the waiting waits for one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined in accordance with a network in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer-executable program of instructions for causing a computer to perform a control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

transmitting, upon detection of a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, a message for stopping an operation as a communication parameter providing device to the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the transmitting transmits the message in a case where the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present in different networks.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer-executable program of instructions for causing a computer to perform a control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

selecting, upon detection of a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, a communication parameter providing device from which a communication parameter is to be received among detected plurality of communication parameter providing devices; and

displaying information for allowing a user to select a communication parameter providing device.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer-executable program of instructions for causing a computer to perform a control method for a communication device, comprising:

searching for a communication parameter providing device configured to provide a communication parameter; and

waiting for, upon detection of a plurality of communication parameter providing devices configured to provide a communication parameter, one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined; and

executing a communication parameter setting process with the determined one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices,

wherein the waiting waits for one of the plurality of communication parameter providing devices to be determined in accordance with a network in which the plurality of communication parameter providing devices are present.