Communications device, communications method, communications program, and computer-readable storage medium storing the communications program

A communications method of a communications device which performs communications in accordance with a communications protocol involving an authentication process, comprising:

• a first authentication step of performing an authentication with a device at the other end through a process supported by a first protocol, after a connection with the device at the other end is initiated in accordance with the first protocol;
• a second connecting step of initiating a connection with the device at the other end in accordance with a second protocol, which is different from the first protocol, when an authentication by the first authentication step is unsuccessful;
• and
• a second authentication step of performing an authentication with the device at the other end through a process supported by the second protocol.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a communications device control program, the communications device control program for causing a communications device to operate, which communications device performs communications in accordance with a communications protocol involving an authentication process,

• the communications device control program causing a computer to function as:
• first connecting means for establishing a connection with a device at the other end in accordance with a first protocol;
• first authentication means for performing an authentication with the device at the other end through a process supported by the first protocol;
• second connecting means for establishing a connection with the device at the other end in accordance with a second protocol, which is different from the first protocol;
• second authentication means for performing an authentication with the device at the other end through a process supported by the second protocol;
• and
• protocol switching means for causing the second connecting means to initiate a connection and then causing the second authentication means to perform an authentication, when an authentication by the first authentication means is unsuccessful.