JP2005150895A - Network setup information setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relatively easily set network setup information required for radio LAN communication. <P>SOLUTION: Ir communication information is stored in a printer device 1. The Ir communication information includes network information required for performing communication in the radio LAN. The Ir communication information is transmitted by directional infrared communication from a printer device 1 to a digital still camera 30, and stored in a digital still camera 30. The digital still camera 30 can communicate with the printer device 1 by non-directional radio LAN using the Ir communication information. Image data are transmitted by the radio LAN communication from the digital still camera 30 to the printer device 1. The printer device 1 prints an image represented by the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network setting information setting system, a network setting information setting device and a portable electronic device constituting the system, and a control method thereof.

Data communication is performed using high-speed communication and low-speed communication. In such a data communication system, a device has been devised so that unattended automatic reception can be performed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-5-83508 JP-A-5-236232

  In these communication methods, it is assumed that information necessary for communication is set, and there is no mention of how to set it. In particular, when performing omnidirectional wireless communication, it is necessary to set information necessary for communication. If a personal computer has a keyboard, information necessary for communication can be set using the keyboard. However, if there is no keyboard as in the digital still camera and there are few keys, it is difficult to input information necessary for communication.

  An object of the present invention is to set information necessary for communication relatively easily.

  The present invention relates to a network setting information setting system including a network setting information setting device and a portable electronic device.

  The network setting information setting device includes an input means for inputting network setting information used for non-directional wireless communication, and data representing the network setting information input from the input means by means of directivity wireless communication. Directional wireless communication means for transmitting to a portable electronic device is provided.

  The portable electronic device includes: a receiving unit that receives network setting information data wirelessly transmitted from the directional wireless communication unit of the network information setting device; and a network represented by the network setting information data received by the receiving unit. An omnidirectional wireless communication means for performing omnidirectional wireless communication based on the setting information is provided.

  The network setting information setting device and the portable electronic device that constitute the network setting information setting system may be configured independently.

  The present invention also provides a control method for the setting information setting device. That is, this method is provided with an input means for inputting network setting information used for omnidirectional wireless communication, and data representing the network setting information input from the input means is transferred to the portable by directivity wireless communication. To the electronic device.

  The present invention also provides a method for controlling the portable electronic device. That is, this method receives network setting information data transmitted from a network setting information setting device by directional radio, and based on the network setting information represented by the received network setting information data, It communicates.

  According to the present invention, network setting information used for omnidirectional wireless communication is input from the input means of the network setting information setting device. Data representing the inputted network setting information is transmitted to the mobile phone by directivity wireless communication (for example, infrared communication).

  The network setting information data transmitted from the directional wireless communication means of the network setting information setting device is received by the portable electronic device. Based on the network setting information represented by the received network setting information data, omnidirectional wireless communication (for example, IEEE802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11c, etc.) is performed.

  According to the present invention, network setting information for performing omnidirectional wireless communication can be set even if the portable electronic device does not have an input means such as a keyboard, and omnidirectional wireless communication is performed based on the network setting information. Will be able to. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied when the portable electronic device is provided with input means such as a keyboard.

  The omnidirectional wireless communication means of the portable electronic device is, for example, omnidirectional wireless communication with the network setting information setting device based on network setting information represented by network setting information data received by the receiving means. Is to do.

  The network setting information setting device includes a changing unit that changes at least a part of the network setting information input from the input unit every time the network setting information data is transmitted from the directional wireless communication unit. preferable.

  Each time network setting information data is sent, at least part of the network setting information is changed (for example, the WEP KEY is changed to a random number generated based on time), and the network setting information data is sent next time Will transmit different network configuration information data than previously transmitted. Since omnidirectional wireless communication cannot be performed again using previously set network setting information, unauthorized omnidirectional wireless communication can be prevented using the set network setting information. .

  The network setting device is, for example, one digital still camera, and the portable electronic device is, for example, another digital still camera. In this case, the one digital still camera further includes transmission means for transmitting an image data transmission command to the other digital still camera. Then, the omnidirectional wireless communication means of the other digital still camera responds to the transmission command transmitted from the transmission means of the one digital still camera, and converts the image data to the one digital camera.・ Send to a still camera via omnidirectional wireless communication. Image data can be transmitted and received between one digital still camera and another digital still camera using non-directional wireless communication. Image data can be exchanged between digital still cameras.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state of a user who uses a printer system (network setting information setting system). FIG. 2 shows an overview of the printer system.

  The printer system according to this embodiment prints an image represented by image data recorded in the digital still camera 30 by using the printer device 1.

  The printer system includes a printer device 1 and a digital still camera 30. Both the printer device 1 and the digital still camera 30 are capable of communication based on infrared communication, which is directional wireless communication, and wireless LAN (Local Area Network), which is omnidirectional wireless communication. When performing omnidirectional wireless communication, it is necessary to set omnidirectional wireless communication. Therefore, in this embodiment, as will be described later, network setting information (Ir communication information) for omnidirectional wireless communication is transmitted from the printer 1 to the digital still camera 30 using infrared communication. Is done. After transmitting the network setting information, image data is transmitted from the digital still camera 30 to the printer apparatus 1. In the printer device 1, an image represented by image data is printed.

  A user U who uses the printer system brings the digital still camera 30 and stands in front of the printer apparatus 1 to transmit the network setting information and the image data described above.

  A display screen 2 is provided above the front surface of the printer apparatus 1. Below the display screen 2, a detection sensor 3 is provided for detecting that the user U has stood in front of the printer device 1. Under this detection sensor 3, a communication port 4 for infrared communication and a communication port 5 for wireless LAN are formed. A memory card insertion slot 6 is formed on the right side of these ports 4 and 5.

  A coin insertion slot 7 is formed on the right side of the center of the front surface of the printer apparatus 1. A coin return port 8 and a print discharge port 9 are formed below the front surface of the printer device 1.

  Using the communication port 4 formed in the printer device 1, network setting information is transmitted from the printer device 1 to the digital still camera 30 by directional infrared communication. Also, image data is transmitted from the digital still camera 30 to the printer device 1 by non-directional wireless LAN communication using the communication port 5 formed in the printer device 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer apparatus 1.

  The overall operation of the printer apparatus 1 is controlled by the CPU 12.

  The printer device 1 temporarily receives a print engine 11 that prints an image represented by image data transmitted from the digital still camera 30, and image data and other data transmitted from the digital still camera 30. A memory 13 for storing, a display device 14 having the display screen 2 described above, a touch panel 15 formed on the display screen 2 and a detection sensor 3 are included.

  Further, the printer device 1 includes an infrared communication device 17 having the infrared communication port 4 described above, an infrared communication interface 16 for connecting the infrared communication device 17, and a memory inserted in the memory card insertion slot 6. A memory card interface 18 for reading image data recorded on the card 19 and writing image data to the memory card 19, a wireless LAN device 21 having the wireless communication port 5 of the wireless LAN described above, and a wireless LAN An external communication interface 20 for connecting the device 21 is provided.

  Further, the printer apparatus 1 includes an Ir communication information holding memory 22 that stores Ir communication information to be transmitted to the digital still camera 30 by infrared communication. The Ir communication information will be input by the operator of the printer apparatus 1 using the touch panel 15. Further, the printer device 1 includes a coin machine 23. Further, the printer device 1 may be provided with a random number generator 24. The random number generated by the random number generator 24 becomes a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) KEY as described later.

  FIG. 4 is an example of Ir communication information.

  Ir communication information includes network setting information used for wireless LAN communication and other communication information. Network setting information includes ESSID (Enhanced Service Set ID) and WEP KEY. The ESSID is used for identification of wireless LAN communication. Communication is possible with access points and terminal devices with the same ESSID. The WEP KEY is used for wireless LAN security. Other information other than the network setting information included in the Ir communication information includes MODE, PRINTER IP (IP address of the printer 1), CAMERA IP (IP address of the digital still camera 30), and NETMASK.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital still camera 30.

  The overall operation of the digital still camera 30 is controlled by the CPU 33.

  The digital still camera 30 captures a subject and outputs a video signal representing the subject image. The video signal output from the image sensor 31 is subjected to gamma correction, white balance correction, and analog / digital conversion processing. A signal processing circuit 32 that performs predetermined signal processing such as the above is included. The digital still camera 30 includes a memory 34 for temporarily storing data and a liquid crystal display device 35 for displaying an image obtained by imaging. Further, the digital still camera 30 includes an Ir communication information holding memory 36 that stores data representing Ir communication information transmitted from the printer apparatus 1.

  As described above, the digital still camera 30 includes the infrared communication device 38 for performing infrared communication with the printer 1 and the infrared communication interface 37 for the infrared communication device 38. In addition, the digital still camera 30 records the image data recorded on the memory card 40 and the memory card 40 that records the image data obtained by imaging, and the image data recorded on the memory card 40. A memory card interface 39 for reading is included. The digital still camera 30 includes an external communication interface 41 for connecting a wireless LAN device 42 for wireless LAN communication with the printer device 1 and other access points (not shown).

  The digital still camera 30 is further provided with a strobe light emitting device 44, a strobe control circuit 43 for controlling the light emission of the strobe light emitting device 44, and an up / down / left / right arrow that can be pushed down and formed on a collection of commands. A cross key 45 to give is included.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the communication processing procedure between the digital still camera 30 and the printer apparatus 1. FIG.

  First, a user U who is to perform printing using the printer apparatus 1 brings the digital still camera 30 and stands in front of the printer apparatus 1. Then, the detection sensor 3 of the printer apparatus 1 detects that the user is standing (step 61 in FIG. 6). The Ir communication information data stored in the Ir communication information holding memory 22 of the printer device 1 is read, and the Ir communication information data is transmitted to the digital still camera 30 using the infrared communication device 17 (FIG. 6). Step 62).

  Infrared communication is started by the infrared communication device 38 of the digital still camera 30 (step 51 in FIG. 6), and Ir communication information data is received (step 52 in FIG. 6). The received Ir communication information data is stored in the Ir communication information holding memory 36 of the digital still camera 30 (step 53 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, when a certain time elapses, wireless LAN communication using ESSID and WEP KEY is started from the printer 1 to the digital still camera 30 (step 63 in FIG. 6). If wireless LAN communication is not established between the printer apparatus 1 and the digital still camera 30 (NO in step 64 in FIG. 6), the user is notified of this and predetermined error processing is performed (step 65 in FIG. 6). ). When wireless LAN communication is established between the printer apparatus 1 and the digital still camera 30 (YES in step 64 in FIG. 6), a transmission command for thumbnail image data is transmitted from the printer apparatus 1 to the digital still camera 30 via wireless LAN communication. To the digital still camera 30 (which may use infrared communication).

  When a transmission command for thumbnail image data transmitted from the printer apparatus 1 is received by the digital still camera 1, thumbnail image data recorded in the memory card 40 (generated in advance, the memory card 40 Of course, it is read out. The read thumbnail image data is transmitted to the printer apparatus 1 by infrared communication (step 54 in FIG. 7). Image data (thumbnail image data, original image data to be described later) is transmitted by wireless LAN to the printer apparatus 1 as a transmission destination using an IP address (PRINTER IP).

  When thumbnail image data transmitted from the digital still camera 30 by infrared communication is received by the printer device 1 (step 66 in FIG. 7), a list of thumbnail images represented by the thumbnail image data is displayed on the printer device 1. It is displayed on the screen 2 (step 67 in FIG. 7). A thumbnail image corresponding to an image to be printed (referred to as an original image) is selected from the list of thumbnail images by the user U (the thumbnail image is touched) (YES in step 68 in FIG. 7). Data for identifying the selected thumbnail image (for example, data representing a file name) and an original image transmission command are transmitted from the printer apparatus 1 to the digital still camera 30 by infrared communication (or wireless LAN communication). (Step 69 in FIG. 7).

  When the identification data of the selected thumbnail image and the transmission command of the original image are received by the digital still camera 30 and transmitted from the printer apparatus 1, the corresponding original image data is read from the memory card 40 and wirelessly transmitted. It is transmitted to the printer apparatus 1 by LAN communication (step 55 in FIG. 7).

  When the original image data transmitted from the digital still camera 30 via the wireless LAN is received by the printer device 1 (step 70 in FIG. 7), the original image represented by the original image data is printed by the print engine 11. (FIG. 7, step 71).

  As described above, network setting information can be set even in a portable electronic device with few keys such as the digital still camera 30, and non-directional wireless LAN communication is possible.

  In the embodiment described above, there are a device for transmitting Ir communication information (network setting information) to the digital still camera 30 and a device for receiving thumbnail image data and original image data transmitted from the digital still camera 30. The same printer device 1 but a device for transmitting Ir communication information (network setting information) to the digital still camera 30 and a device for receiving thumbnail image data and original image data transmitted from the digital still camera 30 And may be separate devices.

  FIG. 8 shows another example of Ir communication information.

  In the Ir communication information shown in FIG. 4, the random number (aazr7rc9d4jpw) generated by the random number generation circuit 24 is used as the WEP KEY in the network setting information. A random number is generated when it is detected that the user U is standing in front of the printer apparatus 1. The generated random number is transmitted from the printer apparatus 1 to the digital still camera 30 as a WEP KEY constituting network information. As the random number, for example, the time when it is detected that the user stands in front of the printer apparatus 1 is used.

  Since random numbers generated from time to time are used for the WEP KEY of the network information, even if it is a digital still camera for which the network setting information has been set once, it will be connected to the printer 1 again after the setting. Wireless LAN communication cannot be performed. Unauthorized use can be prevented in advance, and interference can be prevented when there are a plurality of printer apparatuses and there are a plurality of users trying to perform wireless LAN communication.

  In the above-described embodiment, wireless LAN communication is performed between the printer apparatus 1 and the digital still camera 30, and an image is printed. However, image data is communicated between the digital still cameras via wireless LAN communication. , Image data can also be exchanged.

  FIG. 9 is an overview of a system in which image data is exchanged between digital still cameras using a wireless LAN. FIG. 10 is an example of Ir communication information.

  Referring to FIG. 9, each of the digital still cameras A and B has an electrical configuration as shown in FIG. 5, and can perform infrared communication and wireless LAN communication. A case where image data stored in the digital still camera B is transmitted to the digital still camera A will be described.

  One digital still camera A stores Ir communication information. As described above, this Ir communication information can be stored in one digital still camera A using infrared communication from a device provided with keys for inputting Ir communication information.

  As described above, Ir communication information is transmitted from the digital still camera A to the digital still camera B by infrared communication.

  Referring to FIG. 10, Ir communication information includes the network setting information ESSID and WEP KEY as described above. In the example shown in FIG. 10, unlike the example shown in FIG. 4, MY IP (IP address of digital still camera A) and YOUR IP (IP address of digital still camera B) are used instead of PRINTER ID and CAMERA ID. ) Is included in the Ir communication information. Needless to say, the Ir communication information includes MODE and NETMASK.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when the Ir communication information transmitted from one digital still camera A is received by the digital still camera B, the Ir communication information of the digital still camera B is retained as described above. The received Ir communication information is stored in the memory. Wireless LAN communication can be performed between the digital still camera B and the digital still camera A. Then, as described above, the thumbnail image data stored in the memory card of the digital still camera B is transmitted to the digital still camera A via the wireless LAN. Needless to say, the digital still camera A, which is a transmission destination, performs wireless LAN communication using an IP address (MY IP).

  On the liquid crystal display screen of the digital still camera A, thumbnail images represented by the thumbnail image data are displayed in a list. The user of the digital still camera A selects a desired thumbnail image from the thumbnail images displayed as a list. Identification data of the selected thumbnail image is transmitted from the digital still camera A to the digital still camera B. Then, the original image data specified by the identification data is transmitted from the digital still camera B to the digital still camera A using a wireless LAN.

  As described above, image data can be exchanged between digital still cameras (digital movie cameras) using a wireless LAN.

An example of using a printer system is shown. 1 is an overview of a printer system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer apparatus. It is an example of Ir communication information. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a digital still camera. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedure between the digital still camera and the printer apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedure between the digital still camera and the printer apparatus. It is an example of Ir communication information. This shows another embodiment, and shows an outline when image data is exchanged between digital still cameras. It is an example of Ir communication information.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer device (Network setting information setting device)
2 Display screen 3 Detection sensor 4 Infrared communication port 5 Wireless LAN port
12, 33 CPU
14 Display device (input means)
15 Touch panel (input means)
16, 37 Infrared communication interface
17, 38 Infrared communication device (directional wireless communication means)
20, 41 External communication interface
21, 42 Wireless LAN device (non-directional wireless communication means)
23, 36 Ir communication information holding memory
24 Random number generator
30, B Digital still camera (portable electronic device)
A Digital still camera (Network setting information setting device)
U user

Claims (8)

In a network setting information setting system including a network setting information setting device and a portable electronic device,
The network setting information setting device
Input means for inputting network setting information used for non-directional wireless communication, and directivity for transmitting data representing network setting information input from the input means to the portable electronic device by directivity wireless communication Wireless communication means,
The portable electronic device is
Based on the receiving means for receiving the network setting information data wirelessly transmitted from the directional wireless communication means of the network information setting device, and the network setting information represented by the network setting information data received by the receiving means. Omnidirectional wireless communication means for performing directional wireless communication,
A network setting information setting system. The omnidirectional wireless communication means of the portable electronic device is:
Based on the network setting information represented by the network setting information data received by the receiving means, omnidirectional wireless communication is performed with the network setting information setting device.
The network setting information setting system according to claim 1. The network setting information setting device
A change unit that changes at least a part of the network setting information input from the input unit each time network setting information data is transmitted from the directional wireless communication unit;
The network setting information setting system according to claim 1. The network setting device is a digital still camera,
The portable electronic device is another digital still camera,
The one digital still camera further comprises transmission means for transmitting an image data transmission command to the other digital still camera,
In response to the transmission command transmitted from the transmission means of the one digital still camera, the omnidirectional wireless communication means of the other digital still camera transmits the image data to the one digital still camera. -It transmits to the camera by non-directional wireless communication.
The network setting information setting system according to claim 1. Input means for inputting network setting information used for non-directional wireless communication, and directivity for transmitting data representing network setting information input from the input means to the portable electronic device by directivity wireless communication Wireless communication means,
A network setting information setting device. A receiving means for receiving network setting information data transmitted from a network setting information setting apparatus by directional radio, and a network setting information represented by the network setting information data received by the receiving means. Omnidirectional wireless communication means for performing wireless communication,
A portable electronic device. An input means for inputting network setting information used for omnidirectional wireless communication is provided.
Transmitting data representing network setting information input from the input means to the portable electronic device by directivity wireless communication;
Control method of network setting information setting device. Receiving network setting information data transmitted from a network setting information setting device by directional radio;
Perform omnidirectional wireless communication based on the network setting information represented by the received network setting information data.
A method for controlling a portable electronic device.

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