Communications apparatus and control method therefor

摘要

When exchanging communication parameter setting information on a wireless network, a communications apparatus selects between a first operation mode in which communications parameter information is exchanged with a specific communications apparatus and a second operation mode in which communications parameter information is exchanged with an unspecified number of communications apparatus. Depending on the selected operation mode, the communications apparatus control security upon holding the communications parameter information exchanged with the specific communications apparatus and the communications parameter information exchanged with the unspecified number of communications apparatus.

主权项

1. A communications apparatus comprising:
at least one hardware controller configured to perform the functions of: a processing unit that performs a sharing process for sharing, by a wireless communication, a communication parameter for a wireless communication with a communication partner apparatus; a selection unit that selects either a first operation mode or a second operation mode, wherein the first operation mode being a mode in which the communication parameter used for access to the communication partner apparatus via a wireless network, which is previously shared with the communication partner apparatus through the sharing process, can be reused without performing again the sharing process when again accessing the communication partner apparatus after release of a network, in which the shared communication parameter was used, and wherein the second operation mode being a mode in which the sharing process is performed again with the communication partner apparatus when again accessing the communication partner apparatus after release of a network, which is based on the communication parameter that is used for access to the communication partner apparatus and that was previously shared with the communication partner apparatus; and a control unit that controls the communication apparatus to operate in accordance with the selection of the first or second operation mode by the selection unit, wherein a wireless network of the second operation mode is formed when required and ceases to exist after an initial use completes, and wherein a wireless network of the first operation mode has a lifetime that extends over a plurality of distinct sessions beyond the initial use until the wireless network of the first operation mode is deliberately dissolved.