Patent Publication Number: US-2021185525-A1

Title: Communication apparatus, method of controlling the communication apparatus, and program

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/548,726, filed Aug. 3, 2017, which is a National Stage Entry of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/000204, filed Jan. 15, 2016, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-024502, filed Feb. 10, 2015, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a communication technology. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There are increasing cases in recent years, in which a wireless communication function is mounted in electronic devices including digital cameras, printers, mobile phones, or smart phones and these devices are connected to wireless networks for usage. 
     In order to connect the electronic devices to the wireless networks, it is necessary to set various wireless parameters, such as an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key. PTL 1 is known as a technology to facilitate the setting of these wireless parameters. In PTL 1, a wireless parameter generated by an access point (hereinafter referred to as an AP) is encoded into a two-dimensional code and the AP displays the two-dimensional code on a screen. A terminal apparatus captures an image of the two-dimensional code displayed in the AP and decodes the two-dimensional code to set the wireless parameter. PTL 2 proposes a technology in which a terminal apparatus reads a Quick Response code (QR) code (registered trademark) that is displayed by an electronic device and that indicates a wireless parameter and causes an AP to set the wireless parameter that is read. 
     Setting the wireless parameter upon capturing an image of code information, such as the two-dimensional code, in which a lot of information can be encoded in the above manner reduces complicated inputs by a user. However, cases are not considered, in which multiple setting methods are capable of being performed upon capturing of an image of the code information. The multiple setting methods include the method of setting the wireless parameter in the terminal apparatus, as in PTL 1, and the method of setting the wireless parameter in the AP from the terminal apparatus, as in PTL 2. Accordingly, it is not possible to select any of the multiple setting methods in the setting of the wireless parameter upon capturing an image of the code information and perform the selected setting method. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         [PTL 1] 
         Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-261938 
         [PTL 2] 
         Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-60623 
         [PTL 3] 
         Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-230152 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Solution to Problem 
     The present invention provides a communication apparatus including a first execution unit that performs a first process of setting a wireless parameter for wireless communication in another communication apparatus by the communication apparatus on the basis of information that is necessary for setting the wireless parameter and that is included in information acquired from an image that is captured; a second execution unit that performs a second process of setting a wireless parameter for wireless communication, which is set in another communication apparatus, in the communication apparatus on the basis of information that is necessary for setting the wireless parameter and that is included in information acquired from an image that is captured; and a selection unit configured to select the first process or the second process to be performed on the basis of information acquired from an image that is captured. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of a communication apparatus in a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional software configuration of the communication apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary configuration of a communication system in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary connection sequence in the communication system. 
         FIG. 5A  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the communication apparatus in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a flowchart illustrating the exemplary operation of the communication apparatus in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary operation of the communication apparatus in the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a communication apparatus in a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments described below are provided to perform a process selected from multiple wireless parameter setting processes based on information that is necessary for setting wireless parameters and that is included in information resulting from analysis of an image that is captured. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the communication system includes a mobile phone  32  and an access point (hereinafter referred to as an AP)  33 . The AP  33  builds a wireless local area network (LAN)  31 . In the first embodiment, the wireless LAN  31  illustrated in  FIG. 3  conforms to The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) 802.11 series. However, the communication mode is not necessarily limited to the wireless LAN conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series. 
     In the first embodiment, the AP  33  operates as an access point in an infrastructure mode defined in an IEEE 802.11 standard. The AP  33  composes a wireless network and performs authentication and encryption for a station (STA), management of the STA, and so on. The mobile phone  32  operates as a STA in the infrastructure mode defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. 
     Although the apparatus in the communication system in the first embodiment is exemplified by the mobile phone, the apparatus in the communication system may be another apparatus, such as a printer, a digital camera, a personal computer (PC), a video camera, a smart watch, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of the apparatus in the first embodiment. Although the configuration of the mobile phone  32  is described with reference to  FIG. 1 , a description of the configuration of the AP  33  is omitted herein because the AP  33  has the same configuration as that of the mobile phone  32 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  101  denotes the entire apparatus. The apparatus  101  includes a control unit  102 , a storage unit  103 , a wireless communication unit  104 , a display unit  105 , a Near Field Communication (NFC) unit  106 , an antenna control unit  107 , an antenna  108 , an input unit  109 , and an imaging unit  110 . The control unit  102  executes a control program stored in the storage unit  103  to control the entire apparatus. The control unit  102  is composed of, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The storage unit  103  stores a variety of information, such as the control program executed by the control unit  102 , image data, and wireless parameters. Various operations described below are performed by the control unit  102  that executes the control program stored in the storage unit  103 . The storage unit  103  is composed of a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, or a removable Secure Digital (SD) card. 
     The wireless communication unit  104  performs wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series. The wireless communication unit  104  is composed of a chip that performs the wireless communication. The display unit  105  performs a variety of display and has a function to output information that is visually perceptive, like a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a light emitting diode (LED), and/or an audio output function, like a speaker. The display unit  105  has the function to output at least one of visual information and audio information. When the display unit  105  displays the visual information, the display unit  105  includes a video random access memory (VRAM) that holds image data corresponding to the visual information to be displayed. The display unit  105  performs display control in which the image data stored in the VRAM is continuously displayed in the LCD or the LED. 
     The NFC unit  106  performs NFC. The NFC unit  106  performs wireless communication conforming to a communication standard defined by NFC Forum. The NFC unit  106  may adopt, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mode defined in Bluetooth (registered trademark) 4.0. The NFC unit  106  may perform other short-distance wireless communication, such as infrared communication or TransferJet (registered trademark). 
     The antenna control unit  107  performs output control of the antenna  108 . The antenna  108  is used to perform the wireless LAN communication and is capable of communication in a 2.4-GHz band and/or a 5-GHz band. The input unit  109  is used by a user to perform various inputs in order to operate the communication apparatus  101 . The input unit  109  stores a flag corresponding to an input by the user in a memory, such as the storage unit  103 . The imaging unit  110  is composed of an image pickup device, a lens, and so on and takes a picture and a movie. The imaging unit  110  performs, for example, reading of code information, such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and a QR code, in which information is encoded. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of software functional blocks that perform a communication control function described below. In the first embodiment, the functional blocks in the mobile phone  32  are stored in the storage unit  103  as programs and the functions of the functional blocks are performed by the control unit  102  that executes the programs. The control unit  102  performs control of hardware and operation and processing of information in accordance with the control program to realize the respective functions. Part or all of the functional blocks maybe realized by hardware. In this case, part or all of the functional blocks are composed of, for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , reference numeral  202  denotes a wireless parameter setting determiner. The wireless parameter setting determiner  202  selects a setting mode of a wireless parameter automatic setting process performed by the mobile phone  32 . The mobile phone  32  is capable of performing multiple setting modes. The wireless parameter automatic setting process is a process of automatically setting wireless parameters between apparatuses. For example, the wireless parameter automatic setting process provides the wireless parameters that are transmitted through the wireless communication from a provision apparatus to a reception apparatus. The wireless parameters are pieces of information necessary for the wireless communication and include pieces of information, such as a Service Set Identifier (SSID) serving as a network identifier, an encryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and an encryption key, which is necessary for the wireless LAN communication. In addition, the wireless parameters may include a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a passphrase, an Internet protocol (IP) address for communication on an IP layer, information necessary for high-level services, and so on. 
     In a first wireless parameter setting mode which can be performed by the mobile phone  32 , switching is available between a first method in which the mobile phone  32  sets the wireless parameters for a communication partner apparatus and a second method in which the communication partner apparatus sets the wireless parameters for the mobile phone  32 . 
     In the first method, the mobile phone  32  captures an image of a QR code that is displayed in another apparatus or that is associated with another apparatus. The QR code associated with another apparatus is a QR code attached to a case of the other apparatus or a QR code described in an instruction manual of the apparatus. The mobile phone  32  acquires information that is included in the read-out QR code and that is necessary for setting the wireless parameters. The information necessary for setting the wireless parameters includes, for example, the wireless parameters themselves, identification information about the apparatus, and identification information about the wireless parameter automatic setting process. 
     Then, the mobile phone  32  acquires the identification information about the apparatus, which is included in the QR code that is read out. The identification information about the apparatus may be a MAC address or a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) for uniquely identifying the apparatus. The mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless parameters set in the mobile phone  32  to the apparatus indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code. In the transmission of the wireless parameters, the wireless parameters encrypted using a public key or a certificate may be communicated between the apparatuses. The public key may be included in the QR code. A method of encrypting the wireless parameters using the public key is disclosed in, for example, PTL 3. 
     Upon reception of the wireless parameters, the communication partner apparatus builds a wireless network on the basis of the wireless parameters. The mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless connection with the apparatus indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code on the basis of the wireless parameters which the mobile phone  32  has transmitted. 
     In the second method, the mobile phone  32  captures an image of a QR code that is displayed in another apparatus or that is associated with another apparatus. The mobile phone  32  acquires information that is included in the read-out QR code and that is necessary for setting the wireless parameters. The information necessary for setting the wireless parameters includes, for example, the wireless parameters themselves, the identification information about the apparatus, and the identification information about the wireless parameter automatic setting process. 
     Then, the mobile phone  32  acquires the identification information about the apparatus, which is included in the QR code that is read out. The identification information about the apparatus may be a MAC address or a UUID for uniquely identifying the apparatus. The mobile phone  32  requests the wireless parameters of the apparatus indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code. The mobile phone  32  then receives the wireless parameters from the apparatus indicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code. In the transmission of the wireless parameters, the wireless parameters encrypted using a public key or a certificate maybe communicated between the apparatuses. The public key may be included in the QR code. A method of encrypting the wireless parameter using the public key is disclosed in, for example, PTL 3. Upon reception of the wireless parameters, the mobile phone  32  connects to the wireless network on the basis of the wireless parameters. 
     In a second wireless parameter setting mode which can be performed by the mobile phone  32 , the mobile phone  32  acquires the wireless parameters from the communication partner apparatus through the wireless communication. The second wireless parameter setting mode is the wireless parameter automatic setting process without the image capturing and may be, for example, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) or Wi-Fi Direct, which is defined by Wi-Fi Alliance. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , reference numeral  203  denotes a first setting mode state manager. The first setting mode state manager  203  manages the setting status of the first setting mode when the access point or the communication partner apparatus supports the first setting mode. Reference numeral  204  denotes a second setting mode state manager. The second setting mode state manager  204  manages the setting status of the second setting mode when the access point or the communication partner apparatus supports the second setting mode. 
     Reference numeral  205  denotes a wireless parameter setting information manager. The wireless parameter setting information manager  205  stores the acquired wireless parameters in the storage unit  103  in association with the access point or the communication partner apparatus. The wireless parameter setting information manager  205  generates the wireless parameters to be set for the access point or the communication partner apparatus. Reference numeral  206  denotes a wireless LAN packet receiver and reference numeral  207  denotes a wireless LAN packet transmitter. The wireless LAN packet receiver  206  and the wireless LAN packet transmitter  207  each establish the wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard with the communication partner apparatus. 
     Reference numeral  208  denotes a wireless LAN parameter setting controller. The wireless LAN parameter setting controller  208  performs secure control of setting of wireless parameter information in accordance with the protocol or the encryption and authentication methods corresponding to the setting mode. The wireless LAN parameter setting controller  208  performs the wireless parameter automatic setting process in the first setting mode or the second setting mode described above. 
     Reference numeral  209  denotes a wireless connection controller. The wireless connection controller  209  provides a STA function and an AP function defined in the IEEE 802.11 standard. Reference numeral  210  denotes a data storage. The data storage  210  controls writing and reading of the software and information about the wireless parameters and the barcode or the like into and from the storage unit  103 . Reference numeral  211  denotes a parameter setting process display controller. The parameter setting process display controller  211  displays a variety of information including error display control in the wireless parameter automatic setting process and the progress situation of the wireless parameter automatic setting process. 
     Reference numeral  212  denotes a barcode reading controller. The barcode reading controller  212  analyzes an image captured by the imaging unit  110  and acquires encoded information from the result of the analysis. The barcode reading controller  212  analyzes the code information, such as the barcode, the two-dimensional code, or the QR code. Reference numeral  213  denotes a barcode generation controller. The barcode generation controller  213  generates the barcode, the two-dimensional code, or the QR code and controls display of the generated barcode or the like in the display unit  105 . Reference numeral  214  denotes an NFC Read-Write controller. The NFC Read-Write controller  214  writes and reads information into and from the communication partner apparatus via the NFC unit  106 . 
     The above functional blocks are only examples. Multiple functional blocks may compose one functional block or any of the functional blocks may be divided into multiple functional blocks. 
     An exemplary operation of the communication system having the above configuration will now be described.  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary connection sequence in setting of communication between the communication apparatuses: the mobile phone  32  and the AP  33 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the mobile phone  32  starts the process upon reception of an instruction to start the wireless parameter automatic setting process from the user with the input unit  109 . In F 401 , the mobile phone  32  captures an image of the QR code displayed in or attached to the AP  33  with the imaging unit  110 . The QR code may not be displayed in the display unit of the AP  33  (may be displayed on a setup screen of a Web browser) or may not be electronically displayed. The QR code may be described in an instruction manual or another medium. 
     In F 402 , the mobile phone  32  decodes the QR code and determines whether the content of the QR code is the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters. The information necessary for setting the wireless parameters includes, for example, the wireless parameters themselves, the identification information about the apparatus, and the identification information about the wireless parameter automatic setting process. The information necessary for setting the wireless parameters may be identification information about, for example, a one-time password method using the QR code. If the QR code does not include the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters, the mobile phone  32  may perform error termination or may capture an image of the QR code again. 
     If the mobile phone  32  determines that the content of the QR code is the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters, in F 403 , the mobile phone  32  transmits a search signal specifying the apparatus identified by the identifier in the QR code to the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104 . This search signal may be a probe request defined in the IEEE 802.11. The identification information about the wireless parameter automatic setting process or information indicating that the wireless parameter automatic setting process is being activated may be added to the search signal. The executable setting mode of the wireless parameters may be added to the search signal. 
     Upon reception of the search signal from the mobile phone  32 , in F 404 , the AP  33  returns a response signal. This response signal may be a probe response defined in the IEEE 802.11. The response signal includes information indicating that the AP  33  supports the first wireless parameter setting mode and information indicating whether the wireless parameters in the first setting mode has been set or has not been set. The case in which the wireless parameters have been set corresponds to, for example, a case in which the wireless parameters have already been set by another communication apparatus. 
     The case in which the wireless parameters have not been set corresponds to, for example, a case in which the AP  33  is set to factory default values or a case in which the wireless parameter information that is set is deleted. In addition, when the AP  33  requests the setting of the wireless parameters, for example, in a case in which the AP  33  automatically detects a security risk or in a case in which the AP  33  wants to temporarily change the wireless parameters, the information indicating that the wireless parameters has not been set is added to the response signal. 
     In F 405 , the mobile phone  32  confirms whether the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code in F 401  coincides with the identification information about the source of the response signal. Then, the mobile phone  32  switches the processing on the basis of whether the wireless parameters have been set. If the AP  33  has set the wireless parameters, in F 416 , the mobile phone  32  acquires the wireless parameters from the AP  33  using the second method described above. If the AP  33  has not set the wireless parameters, in F 417 , the mobile phone  32  sets the wireless parameters in the AP  33  using the first method described above. 
     F 416  will now be described in detail. In F 406 , the mobile phone  32  confirms that the AP  33  has set the wireless parameters. In F 407 , the mobile phone  32  performs a wireless link connection process of establishing a wireless link connection with the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104 . The security of the wireless link in F 407  is low because the mobile phone  32  and the AP  33  do not set common wireless parameters. 
     In F 408 , the mobile phone  32  transmits a wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104 . Upon reception of the wireless setting information request signal, in F 409 , the AP  33  transmits a wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters (wireless parameter setting information) set in the AP  33 . The wireless parameters encrypted using a public key or a certificate may be transmitted in F 409 . A method of encrypting the wireless parameters using a public key is disclosed in, for example, PTL 3. The transmission of the wireless parameters that are encrypted using a public key allows the wireless parameters to be securely shared even if the security of the wireless link is low. 
     In F 410 , the mobile phone  32  performs a wireless security connection process with the AP  33  using the wireless parameters. The security of the wireless link in F 410  is high because the mobile phone  32  and the AP  33  set the common wireless parameters and, thus, encrypted communication is enabled. 
     F 417  will now be described in detail. In F 411 , the mobile phone  32  confirms that the AP  33  has not set the wireless parameters. In F 412 , the mobile phone  32  performs the wireless link connection process with the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104 . The security of the wireless link in F 412  is low because the mobile phone  32  and the AP  33  do not set common wireless parameters. 
     In F 413 , the mobile phone  32  transmits to the AP  33  the wireless setting information request signal to cause the AP  33  to set the wireless parameters. The wireless setting information request signal in F 413 , which differs from the wireless setting information request signal in F 408 , includes the wireless parameters (the wireless parameter setting information) which the mobile phone  32  causes the AP  33  to set. As in F 409 , the wireless parameters encrypted using a public key may be transmitted. 
     In F 414 , the mobile phone  32  receives the wireless setting information confirmation signal, which is a response to the request signal in F 413 , from the AP  33  and confirms that the setting of the wireless parameters in the AP  33  is completed. In F 415 , the mobile phone  32  performs the wireless security connection process with the AP  33  using the wireless parameters set in the AP  33 . 
     As described above, the mobile phone  32  is capable of selecting either of the acquisition of the wireless parameters from the AP  33  or the setting of the wireless parameters in the AP  33  in accordance with the setting status of the wireless parameters in the AP  33 . 
     An exemplary operational process performed by the mobile phone  32  in the first embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flowcharts when the mobile phone  32  performs the wireless parameter automatic setting process in the first setting mode. The operational process in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is started upon reception of the instruction to start the wireless parameter automatic setting process from the user with the input unit  109 . The operational process in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  is performed by the control unit  102  that reads out the computer program stored in the storage unit  103  and executes the computer program that is read out. Part or all of the steps in the flowcharts illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  may be realized by hardware, such as ASICs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in Step S 501 , the mobile phone  32  captures an image of the QR code with the imaging unit  110  in response to an operation by the user with the input unit  109 . The mobile phone  32  reads out decoded data about the QR code and determines whether the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is included in the decoded data. When the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is not included in the decoded data, the mobile phone  32  may perform the error termination or may capture an image of the QR code again. 
     When the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is included in the QR code, in Step S 502 , the mobile phone  32  acquires the identification information about the apparatus from the QR code. In Step S 503 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the search signal specifying the access point identified by the identification information in the QR code with the wireless communication unit  104 . Information about the first setting mode is included in the search signal as additional information. The additional information is used to limit the search to the access point supporting the first setting mode or the access point identified by the identification information. 
     In Step S 504 , the mobile phone  32  waits for reception of the response signal from the access point. Upon reception of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104 , in Step S 505 , the mobile phone  32  confirms whether the identification information about the source of the response signal coincides with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code. If the mobile phone  32  confirms that the identification information about the source of the response signal does not coincide with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code (NO in Step S 505 ), the process goes back to Step S 504  to further wait for the response signal. 
     If the mobile phone  32  confirms that the identification information about the source of the response signal coincides with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from. the QR code (YES in Step S 505 ), in Step S 506 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the access point from which the response signal is transmitted has set the wireless parameters on the basis of the information included in the response signal. 
     If the mobile phone  32  determines that the access point from which the response signal is transmitted has set the wireless parameters (YES in Step S 506 ), the mobile phone  32  selects the setting of the wireless parameters in the second method. In S 512 , the mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless link connection with the source of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104  in order to set the wireless parameters in the second method. In Step S 513 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the source of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104 . In Step S 514 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, which is the response signal to the request signal transmitted in Step S 513 , is received. 
     Upon reception of the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, in Step S 515 , the mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless security connection with the wireless communication unit  104  in accordance with the SSID, the encryption and authentication methods, and the key information included in the received wireless parameters. In Step S 516 , the mobile phone  32  stores the identification information about the communication partner apparatus and the wireless parameter setting information in the storage unit  103  for use in reconnection. 
     If the mobile phone  32  determines that the access point from which the response signal is transmitted has not set the wireless parameters (NO in Step S 506 ), the mobile phone  32  selects the setting of the wireless parameters in the first method. In S 507 , the mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless link connection with the source of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104  in order to set the wireless parameters in the first method. In Step S 508 , the mobile phone  32  generates the wireless parameters (the wireless parameter setting information) to be set in the communication partner apparatus. 
     The wireless parameters generated in Step S 508  may be the wireless parameters generated in random. The wireless parameters generated in Step S 508  may be generated on the basis of information input by the user with the input unit  109 . The wireless parameters generated in Step S 508  may be the wireless parameters selected by the user with the input unit  109  from the wireless parameters displayed in the display unit  105 , which are stored in advance in the storage unit  103 . The wireless parameters stored in advance in the storage unit  103  may be the wireless parameters for connection to the wireless network or the communication partner apparatus to which the mobile phone  32  has connected. 
     In Step S 509 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the communication partner apparatus. The wireless setting information request signal in Step S 509  includes the wireless parameters generated in Step S 508 . The wireless parameters encrypted using a public key may be transmitted in Step S 509 . In Step S 510 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless setting information confirmation signal indicating that the wireless parameters are received, which is the response signal to the request signal transmitted in Step S 509 , is received. 
     Upon reception of the wireless setting information confirmation signal, in Step S 511 , the mobile phone  32  performs the wireless security connection process using the wireless parameters set in the communication partner apparatus. 
     As described above, the mobile phone  32  is capable of switching between the reception of the wireless parameters from the communication partner apparatus and the setting of the wireless parameters in the communication partner apparatus on the basis of the response signal to the search signal. Accordingly, for example, the mobile phone  32  is capable of determining whether initial setup of the access point is to be performed or the mobile phone  32  is to connect to the access point subjected to the initial setup and performing the process corresponding to the result of the determination. 
     A process of selecting the mode from the first setting mode and the second setting mode described above by the mobile phone  32  will now be described with reference to a flowchart in  FIG. 6 . The flowchart in  FIG. 6  is started upon reception of the instruction to start the wireless parameter automatic setting process from the user with the input unit  109 . The process in the flowchart in  FIG. 6  is performed by the control unit  102  that reads out the computer program stored in the storage unit  103  and executes the computer program that is read out. Part or all of the steps in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be realized by hardware, such as ASICs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , in Step S 601 , the mobile phone  32  acquires the setting mode which the mobile phone  32  supports and confirms that the mobile phone  32  supports the first setting mode or the second setting mode. In Step S 602 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the search signal used to search for the access point. Here, information about the first setting mode and the second setting mode is included in the signal transmitted in Step S 602  as the additional information in order to search for the access point supporting the first setting mode or the second setting mode. 
     In Step S 603 , the mobile phone  32  waits for reception of the response signal from the access point. Upon reception of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104 , in Step S 604 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the source of the response signal is activating the wireless parameter automatic setting process. If information indicating that the wireless parameter automatic setting process is being activated is not included in the received response signal (NO in Step S 604 ), the process goes back to Step S 603  to further wait for the response signal. 
     If the information indicating that the wireless parameter automatic setting process is being activated is included in the received response signal (YES in Step S 604 ), in Step S 605  and Step S 607 , the mobile phone  32  determines the mode of the wireless parameter automatic setting process which the source of the response signal is activating. If the source of the response signal does not support the first setting mode nor the second setting mode, in Step S 612 , the mobile phone  32  notifies the user of an error with the display unit  105 . Then, the process illustrated in  FIG. 6  is terminated. 
     If it is determined that the source of the response signal is activating the first setting mode on the basis of the received response signal, in Step S 606 , the process goes to A in  FIG. 5A  to perform the processing in the first setting mode. Since the processing in the first setting mode is described in detail above, a description of the processing is omitted herein. Although the first setting mode is performed in preference to the second setting mode, the second setting mode may be performed in preference to the first setting mode. 
     If it is determined that the source of the response signal is not activating the first setting mode but is activating the second setting mode on the basis of the received response signal, the mobile phone  32  determines that the mobile phone  32  performs the second setting mode. In Step S 608 , the mobile phone  32  confirms the setting state indicating whether the wireless parameter information in the first setting mode is set by another apparatus in the source of the response signal on the basis of the content of the response signal. 
     If the wireless parameter information in the first setting mode is not set in the source of the response signal, the mobile phone  32  displays in the display unit  105  a fact that a security problem occurs because the wireless parameters in the initial state are set. The mobile phone  32  may cause the user to determine whether the subsequent processing is to be continued when the wireless parameter information in the first setting mode is not set in the source of the response signal. 
     In Step S 609 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104 . In Step S 610 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, which is the response signal to the request signal transmitted in Step S 609 , is received. 
     Upon reception of the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, in Step S 611 , the mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless security connection with the wireless communication unit  104  in accordance with the SSID, the encryption and authentication methods, and the key information included in the received wireless parameters. 
     As described above, the mobile phone  32  is capable of selecting an appropriate mode corresponding to the state of the access point from the multiple modes of the wireless parameter automatic setting process on the basis of the content of the response signal from the access point. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A process of updating the wireless parameters by the mobile phone  32  for an access point in which the wireless parameters are in the initial setup state and which has a security problem to improve the security will now be described in a second embodiment. The configuration of each apparatus in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. 
     An exemplary operational process performed by the mobile phone  32  in the second embodiment will now described with reference to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7  is a flowchart when the mobile phone  32  performs the wireless parameter automatic setting process with the AP  33  using the first method in the first setting mode. The operational process in the flowchart in  FIG. 7  is started upon reception of the instruction to start the wireless parameter automatic setting process using the first method in the first setting mode from the user with the input unit  109 . The operational process in the flowchart in  FIG. 7  is performed by the control unit  102  that reads out the computer program stored in the storage unit  103  and executes the computer program that is read out. Part or all of the steps in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7  may be realized by hardware, such as ASICs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in Step S 701 , the mobile phone  32  captures an image of the QR code displayed by the AP  33  with the imaging unit  110  in response to an operation by the user with the input unit  109 . The mobile phone  32  reads out decoded data about the QR code and determines whether the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is included in the decoded data. When the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is not included in the decoded data, the mobile phone  32  may perform the error termination or may capture an image of the QR code again. 
     When the information necessary for setting the wireless parameters is included in the QR code, in Step S 702 , the mobile phone  32  acquires the identification information about the AP  33  from the QR code. In Step S 703 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the search signal specifying the AP  33  identified by the identification information in the QR code with the wireless communication unit  104 . Information about the first setting mode is included in the search signal as the additional information. The additional information is used to limit the search to the access point supporting the first setting mode or the access point identified by the identification information. 
     In Step S 704 , the mobile phone  32  waits for reception of the response signal from the AP  33 . Upon reception of the response signal with the wireless communication unit  104 , in Step S 705 , the mobile phone  32  confirms whether the identification information about the source of the response signal coincides with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code. If the mobile phone  32  confirms that the identification information about the source of the response signal does not coincide with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code (NO in Step S 705 ), the process goes back to Step S 704  to further wait for the response signal. 
     If the mobile phone  32  confirms that the identification information about the source of the response signal coincides with the identification information about the apparatus acquired from the QR code (YES in Step S 705 ), in Step S 706 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless parameters set in the AP  33  have the initial values (factory default state) on the basis of the information included in the response signal. If the mobile phone  32  determines that the wireless parameters set in the AP  33  do not have the initial values (NO in Step S 706 ), the operational process illustrated in  FIG. 7  is terminated. 
     If the mobile phone  32  determines that the wireless parameters set in the AP  33  have the initial values (YES in Step S 706 ), the mobile phone  32  selects the setting of the wireless parameters using the first method. The mobile phone  32  performs a process of establishing the encrypted wireless link with the AP  33  in order to securely set the wireless parameters using the first method. In Step S 707 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104  in order to acquire the wireless parameter having the initial values currently set in the AP  33 . In Step S 708 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, which is the response signal to the request signal transmitted in Step S 707 , is received. 
     Upon reception of the wireless setting information confirmation signal including the wireless parameters, in Step S 709 , the mobile phone  32  establishes the wireless security connection with the AP  33  with the wireless communication unit  104  in accordance with the SSID, the encryption and authentication methods, and the key information included in the received wireless parameters. 
     In Step S 710 , the mobile phone  32  displays for the user in the display unit  105  a message indicating that the received wireless parameters have the initial values and update of the setting information is required. In Step S 711 , the mobile phone  32  generates the wireless parameters (the wireless parameter setting information) to be set in the communication partner apparatus in the same manner as in Step S 508 . 
     In Step S 712 , the mobile phone  32  transmits the wireless setting information request signal to request the wireless parameters to the AP  33 . The wireless setting information request signal in Step S 712  includes the wireless parameters generated in Step S 711 . The wireless parameters encrypted using a public key may be transmitted in Step S 712 . In Step S 713 , the mobile phone  32  determines whether the wireless setting information confirmation signal indicating that the wireless parameters are received, which is the response signal to the request signal transmitted in Step S 712 , is received. Upon reception of the wireless setting information confirmation signal, the operational process illustrated in  FIG. 7  is terminated. 
     When the wireless network built by the AP  33  is changed to a wireless network using the wireless parameters that are newly set after the wireless setting information confirmation signal is received, the mobile phone  32  may perform the wireless security connection process with the AP  33  again. 
     As described above, since a warning is issued to the user and the wireless parameters are replaced with new wireless parameters when the wireless parameters set in the AP  33  have the initial values in the second embodiment, the security is improved. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The example is described in the above embodiments, in which the mobile phone  32  selects the first method or the second method to be performed on the basis of the information included in the response signal from the AP  33 . However, the mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method in accordance with a user&#39;s operation. The mobile phone  32  may cause the user to set the first method or the second method before an image of the QR code is captured. The mobile phone  32  may present the identification information about the apparatus included in the QR code that is read out, when an image of the QR code is captured, to the user and may inquire the user of whether the first method or the second method is to be performed with the display unit  105 . In this case, after the inquiry, the mobile phone  32  performs the first method or the second method in accordance with a selection by the user with the input unit  109 . 
     The mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method in accordance with an operation mode selected by the user. For example, when a first mode to perform the first method is set in accordance with a user&#39; s operation with the input unit  109 , the mobile phone  32  performs the image capturing with the imaging unit  110 . Upon capturing of an image of the code information with the imaging unit  110  in the state in which the first mode is set by the user, the mobile phone  32  performs the processing of the first method on the basis of the content of the code information. When a second mode to perform the second method is set in accordance with a user&#39;s operation with the input unit  109 , the mobile phone  32  performs the image capturing with the imaging unit  110 . Upon capturing of an image of the code information with the imaging unit  110  in the state in which the second mode is set by the user, the mobile phone  32  performs the processing of the second method on the basis of the content of the code information. 
     When the response signal indicating that the wireless parameters have been set is received from the access point in a state in which the first method is selected by the user, the mobile phone  32  may display information indicating that the wireless parameters have been set in the display unit  105 . In this case, the mobile phone  32  may perform the error termination or may cause the user to determine whether the processing of the first method is to be performed. 
     Similarly, when the response signal indicating that the wireless parameters have not been set or that the wireless parameters have the initial values is received in a state in which the second method is selected by the user, the mobile phone  32  may display information indicating that the wireless parameters have not been set or that the wireless parameters have the initial value in the display unit  105 . In this case, the mobile phone  32  may perform the error termination or may cause the user to determine whether the processing of the second method is to be performed. 
     The mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method in accordance with the state of the mobile phone  32  when an image of the QR code is captured. For example, when the mobile phone  32  has already participated in the wireless network of the access point identified by the identification information included in the QR code when an image of the QR code is captured, the mobile phone  32  may not perform the second method but may perform the first method. 
     The mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method on the basis of the information included in the QR code. For example, when information indicating whether the wireless parameters have been set is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method on the basis of this information. In this case, if the information indicating that the wireless parameters have been set is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  selects and performs the second method. If the information indicating that the wireless parameters have not been set is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  selects and performs the first method. 
     For example, when identification information indicating the setting mode is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  may select the first method or the second method on the basis of this information. In this case, if the identification information indicating the second method is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  selects and performs the second method. If the identification information indicating the first method is included in the QR code, the mobile phone  32  selects and performs the first method. 
     The operations in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be appropriately combined with each other. 
     The configuration is described in the above embodiments, in which the information used to set the wireless parameters are exchanged between the apparatuses using an image of the QR code. However, instead of the capturing of an image of the QR code, wireless communication, such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark), may be used. Alternatively, wireless communication, such as IEEE 802.11ad or TransferJet (registered trademark), may be used. 
     The QR code to be read out may not be only the QR coded displayed in the display unit in the above embodiments. For example, the QR code to be read out may be the QR code attached to the case of a communication device in the form of a seal or the like or the QR code attached to an instruction manual or a package, such as a cardboard, of a communication device at delivery. Instead of the QR code, the barcode or the two-dimensional code may be used. Instead of the machine-readable information, such as the QR code, information readable by the user may be used. 
     Although the case is described in the above embodiments, in which the communication between the apparatuses is performed through the wireless LAN communication conforming to the IEEE 802.11, the communication between the apparatuses is not limited to this. For example, the communication between the apparatuses may be performed with a wireless communication medium of, for example, wireless universal serial bus (USB), Multiband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Alliance (MBOA), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), ZigBee, or NFC. The UWB includes wireless USB, wireless  1394 , WINET, and so on. 
     Although the case is described in the above embodiments, in which the access point of the wireless LAN provides the wireless parameters, the wireless parameters may not be provided by the access point of the wireless LAN. For example, a Group Owner of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) may provide the wireless parameters. 
     The present invention may be realized by a process in which the programs realizing at least one function of the above embodiments are supplied to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium and at least one processor in the computer in the system or the apparatus reads out the programs and executes the programs that are read out. The present invention may be realized by circuits (for example, ASICs) realizing at least one function of the above embodiments. 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a process selected from multiple wireless parameter setting processes based on information that is necessary for setting wireless parameters and that is included in information resulting from analysis of an image that is captured. 
     Embodiment (s) of the present invention 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)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, 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.