JP2010041508A - Wireless communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication apparatus in which connection setting work can be continued by reconnection when a communication is disconnected during the connection setting work according to a PIN code system of Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS). <P>SOLUTION: A wireless communication apparatus is configured to perform connection setting, in accordance with a PIN code system of WPS, with an access point 2 connected via a wireless LAN. When a communication is disconnected from the access point 2 during connection setting work, a PIN code registered in the access point 2 authenticated as a device is held in an EEPROM 18 and when reconnecting the communication with the access point 2, authentication is performed using the held PIN code. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus that performs communication with a server connected via a wireless LAN.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic camera that transfers image data to a computer or printer connected via a wireless network is known in which a wireless network can be set with a simple operation (for example, see Patent Document 1). .
JP 2007-20037 A

  In recent years, a method called WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) has become widespread as a technique for simplifying wireless LAN settings. In this WPS, two methods, a PIN code method and a push button method, are prepared as authentication methods for setting a device so that it can be connected to a wireless LAN access point. Of these, the PIN code method is to enter a 4- or 8-digit number unique to the device to the access point to which it is connected, for example, connect a PC (personal computer) to the access point and enter it using the keyboard of this PC. Thus, device authentication and connection setting are performed with the access point.

  By the way, depending on the specifications of the access point, there is a case where communication by the wireless LAN is once disconnected when the access point recognizes the device at the time of authentication. In this case, connection setting is performed again from the beginning. At this time, if the PIN code is automatically generated every predetermined time from the viewpoint of security, when the connection setting is executed again, a different PIN code is generated for the same device. . For this reason, even if it communicates with the access point again, the PIN code generated this time does not match the previous PIN code registered in the access point. Therefore, authentication on the access point side cannot be obtained, and connection setting cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of continuing connection setting work by reconnection even when communication is cut off during connection setting work by the WPS PIN code method.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
The invention according to claim 1 is a wireless communication apparatus that performs connection setting with a partner device (2) connected via a communication path by a WPS PIN code method, and a PIN that is different every predetermined time. When communication is disconnected between the PIN code generating means (24) for generating a code, the PIN code holding means (18) for holding the PIN code, and the counterpart device during connection setting work Causes the PIN code holding means to hold the PIN code registered in the counterpart device authenticated as a device, and the PIN code holding means when reconnecting communication with the counterpart device And connection control means (24) for performing authentication using the PIN code held in the terminal.
A second aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the connection control means (24) is disconnected from the counterpart device during a connection setting operation. In this case, communication is reconnected with the counterpart device (2) after a predetermined time.
Note that the configuration described with reference numerals may be improved as appropriate, or at least a part thereof may be replaced with another component.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device capable of continuing connection setting work by reconnection even when communication is cut off during connection setting work by the WPS PIN code method.

  Embodiments of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an electronic camera will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image transfer system 10 to which the electronic camera of this embodiment is connected. The image transfer system 10 includes an access point 2 to which the electronic camera 1 is connected via a wireless LAN, a PC (personal computer) 3 that functions as a registrar, and a server 5 that is connected to the access point 2 via a network line 4. And.

  For example, the access point 2 is installed at the user's home, relays image data transmitted from the electronic camera 1 via the home wireless LAN, and transfers the image data to the server 5 via a router or a network line 4 (not shown).

  The PC 3 is connected to the access point 2 via a home wireless LAN or a wired LAN. By inputting a PIN code or setting information through the setting screen of the access point 2 displayed on the monitor of the PC 3, the electronic camera 1 and a connection setting between the access point 2 is performed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic camera 1 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, each part is demonstrated in order.

  The optical member 11 is a lens that refracts incident light and forms a subject image on the imaging unit 13 on the exit side.

  The variable optical unit 12 includes an aperture opening mechanism, a shutter mechanism, and a focus adjustment mechanism (not shown). In addition to adjusting the amount of subject light passing through the optical member 11 and adjusting the exposure time in the imaging unit 13, the variable optical unit 12 The focus is adjusted by driving in the direction of the optical axis. The aperture value, shutter speed, and focus adjustment amount are controlled by the control unit 24.

  The imaging unit 13 includes a plurality of solid-state imaging elements (not shown) arranged in a plane, captures a subject image formed by the optical member 11 on the light-receiving surface of the solid-state imaging element, converts the image into an image signal, and converts the image signal into an image processing unit. 14 to output.

  The image processing unit 14 performs processing such as noise removal, A / D conversion, color correction processing, size change, and encoding on the image signal output from the imaging unit 13 to create digital image data. This image data is temporarily stored in the DRAM 20 described later.

  The timing control unit 15 is controlled by the control unit 24 and outputs timing signals necessary for the operations of the imaging unit 13 and the image processing unit 14. The timing control unit 15 generates a clock signal for generating a PIN code, which will be described later, and outputs the clock signal to the control unit 24.

  The liquid crystal monitor 16 is a display device installed on the back side of the electronic camera 1 and includes information on shooting conditions such as aperture value, shutter speed, and setting sensitivity, a menu screen for performing various settings and registration, and a captured image. Still images, moving images including live view images, etc. are displayed.

  The liquid crystal monitor display circuit 17 is a circuit that supplies a data signal, a timing signal, and the like to the liquid crystal monitor 16. The display content of the liquid crystal monitor 16 is controlled by a control signal transmitted from the control unit 24 to the liquid crystal monitor display circuit 17.

  The EEPROM 18 is a non-volatile memory that retains stored information even when the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned off, and stores input information such as user settings and custom settings. A PIN code generated by the control unit 24 is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 18.

  The ROM 19 stores not only programs necessary for the operation and control of the electronic camera 1, but also initial values and setting values necessary for executing the programs.

  The DRAM 20 is a volatile memory from which stored information is erased when the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned off. In addition to the above-described image data, the DRAM 20 is necessary when the image processing unit 14, the control unit 24, and the like perform processing. Data is temporarily stored.

  The memory card I / F (interface) unit 21 is a writing / reading device having a function of recording image data stored in the DRAM 20 on the memory card 6 and reading out the image data recorded on the memory card 6. is there. A memory card 6 is detachably attached to a memory card slot (not shown) of the memory card I / F unit 21.

  The operation unit 22 includes various operation buttons, switches, dials, and the like. For example, a release button, a selection dial for switching the camera mode, a button for displaying a reproduction image on the liquid crystal monitor 16, a button for moving a selection position on the selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16, and the like are included. .

  The wireless LAN module unit 23 is a circuit that communicates with the access point 2 through a wireless LAN, and transfers image data stored in the memory card 6 and the DRAM 20 through wireless communication. Authentication and connection setting are performed between the wireless LAN module unit 23 and the access point 2 by a WPS PIN code method to be described later.

  The control unit 24 is a circuit that controls the operation of the entire electronic camera 1, and is configured by a microprocessor having a CPU as a main unit. Various signals and data are input to the control unit 24 from the operation unit 22.

  In the electronic camera 1 shown in FIG. 1, when the release button is half-pressed by the user, the control unit 24 calculates the lens driving amount based on the defocus amount of the subject image detected by the focus detection unit (not shown). Then, the optical member 11 is focused by controlling the variable optical unit 12 based on the lens driving amount.

  In addition to the photometric value of the subject image detected by the imaging unit 13, the lens information such as the F value and the focal length of the optical member 11, the control unit 24, the shooting mode set by the user, and a sensitivity setting unit (not shown) The appropriate exposure value is calculated based on the sensitivity information input from. Then, an aperture value and a shutter speed value corresponding to the exposure value are selected and transmitted to the variable optical unit 12, whereby exposure control is performed.

  Furthermore, when the release button is fully pressed by the user, the focus adjustment is performed by the lens driving amount calculated based on the immediately preceding defocus amount, and the aperture value and shutter speed value corresponding to the immediately preceding exposure value are set. Based on this, exposure control is performed. As a result, the image capturing unit 13 captures an image adjusted to an appropriate focus and exposure.

  The control unit 24 functions as a PIN code generation unit that generates a different PIN code every predetermined time based on the timing signal from the timing control unit 15. Further, when the communication connection with the access point 2 is disconnected during the connection setting operation described later, the control unit 24 stores the PIN code registered in the access point 2 in the EEPROM 18 and accesses it. When communication is reconnected with the point 2, it functions as a connection control means for continuing the connection setting operation using the PIN code stored in the EEPROM 18.

  In the above configuration, the image processing unit 14, the timing control unit 15, the EEPROM 18, the ROM 19, the DRAM 20, the memory card I / F unit 21, the wireless LAN module unit 23, and the control unit 24 are connected to each other via a bus 25. . The electronic camera 1 is also provided with a power supply circuit that supplies power to each unit, an external interface circuit that interfaces with an external device via a cable that conforms to a standard such as USB.

  Next, wireless LAN connection settings by the electronic camera 1 and the access point 2 configured as described above will be described. In order to connect the electronic camera 1 and the access point 2 via a wireless LAN and transfer image data to the server 5 via the network line 4, wireless communication between the electronic camera 1 and the access point 2 is performed in advance. LAN connection settings must be made. This connection setting is performed between the electronic camera 1 and the access point 2. However, since the access point 2 does not have a character input function, in this embodiment, a PIN is set from the PC 3 connected to the access point 2 via a wireless LAN. A code or setting information is entered.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting up a wireless LAN connection. In the electronic camera 1, the network setting is selected on the setup screen of the liquid crystal monitor 16, and the connection setting is started by selecting the item “set by WPS / PIN code method” on the setting screen. In the access point 2, connection setting is started by selecting the network setting on the setup screen of the PC 3 and selecting the item “set by WPS / PIN code system” on the setting screen. Hereinafter, processes in the routines of the electronic camera 1 and the access point 2 will be described in parallel.

  First, on the setup screen (not shown) of the electronic camera 1, network setting is selected (step S 101). Subsequently, when WPS / PIN code setting is selected (step S 102), the control unit 24 generates a PIN code. (Step S103), the PIN code is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 (Step S104).

  On the other hand, when the network setting is selected on the setup screen (not shown) of the PC 3 (step S201) and then the setting of the WPS / PIN code is selected (step S202), the input screen display of the PIN code is displayed on the PC 3 ( Step S203). The user inputs the PIN code displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 of the electronic camera 1 to the PIN code input screen of the PC 3. The PIN code input here is stored in the memory in the access point 2 as registration information. After inputting the PIN code, for example, when the user clicks “OK”, communication with the electronic camera 1 is started (steps S105 and S205).

  As a result, the access point 2 searches for a WPS-compatible device within the communicable range (step S206), and authenticates the electronic camera 1 that is the device (step S20). Here, the access point 2 acquires the PIN code of the electronic camera 1 by communication, and compares the PIN code previously input from the PC 3, and if it matches, authenticates the device as a communication partner. Subsequently, the access point 2 disconnects communication with the electronic camera 1 (step S208).

  When the communication is disconnected, the control unit 24 of the electronic camera 1 stores the previously generated PIN code in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 18 (step S106). Then, a connection error message is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16 (step S107). Subsequently, the control unit 24 displays a message as to whether or not to reconnect to the liquid crystal monitor 16, and determines whether or not reconnection is instructed (step S108). Here, if reconnection is not instructed, the processing of this routine is terminated. In this case, since the connection setting operation is terminated halfway, the PIN code stored in the EEPROM 18 is also deleted. Therefore, the PIN code generated at that time is used for the next connection setting.

  On the other hand, when reconnection is instructed, the control unit 24 reads the PIN code stored in the EEPROM 18 and starts reconnection with the access point 2 (steps S109 and S209). At this time, the PIN code of the electronic camera 1 is transmitted to the access point 2 by communication. The access point 2 reads the already registered PIN code from the memory and compares it with the PIN code transmitted from the electronic camera 1 to determine whether or not they match.

  As described above, conventionally, after communication is disconnected on the access point 2 side, connection setting is performed again from the beginning. In this way, when the connection setting is terminated halfway, a PIN code different from the previous one is generated. Therefore, even if the PIN code generated this time is transmitted when communicating with the access point 2 again, the access point 2 Will not match the previous PIN code registered in. Therefore, authentication at the access point 2 cannot be obtained, and connection setting cannot be performed.

  However, in this embodiment, the PIN code generated at the time of network setting is retained as it is if the connection setting work is not completed in the middle. Therefore, when the communication with the access point 2 is performed again, the retained PIN code is used. If transmitted, it matches the PIN code registered in the access point 2. Accordingly, authentication at the access point 2 can be obtained, and the connection setting work can be continued. Therefore, the connection setting process is performed along with the start of reconnection (steps S110 and S210). When the connection setting process is completed, for example, a message “Connection setting is completed by the WPS / PIN code method” is displayed on the screen of the PC 3, and the process of this routine is ended.

  In step S107, after the connection error message is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 16, the message indicating whether to reconnect to the liquid crystal monitor 16 is not displayed, and the PIN code stored in the EEPROM 18 after a predetermined time has elapsed. And reconnection may be automatically started.

The above embodiment has the following effects.
(1) When communication is disconnected during connection setting work, the PIN code at that time is stored, and authentication is performed using the stored PIN code at the time of reconnection. Therefore, it matches the PIN code registered in the access point 2, and proper authentication can be obtained. Therefore, even when communication is disconnected during the connection setting operation, the connection setting operation can be continued by reconnection.
(2) When communication is disconnected during connection setting work, an operation for reconnecting a user is performed by automatically starting reconnection using a stored PIN code after a predetermined time has elapsed. It can be omitted and convenience can be improved.
[Deformation]

Without being limited to the embodiment described above, the present invention can be variously modified and changed as described below, and these are also within the scope of the present invention.
(1) After connection setting, the transfer of image data from the electronic camera 1 to the access point 2 is not limited to a home wireless LAN, but may be a public wireless LAN, for example.
(2) In the above embodiment, an example in which the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an electronic camera has been described. However, a device to which the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention is applied is not limited to an electronic camera. A saved PC or a mobile phone with a camera function may be used.

1 is an overall view of an image transfer system to which an electronic camera of an embodiment is connected. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera in embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting up a wireless LAN connection between an electronic camera and an access point.

Explanation of symbols

  1: electronic camera 2: access point 3: PC 4: network line 5: server 15: timing control unit 23: wireless LAN module unit 24: control unit

Claims (2)

A wireless communication device that performs connection setting by a WPS PIN code method with a counterpart device connected via a communication path,
PIN code generation means for generating a different PIN code every predetermined time;
PIN code holding means for holding the PIN code;
If the communication connection with the counterpart device is disconnected during the connection setting operation, the PIN code holding unit holds the PIN code registered in the counterpart device authenticated as a device. A connection control means for performing authentication using the PIN code held in the PIN code holding means when reconnecting communication with the counterpart device;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: The wireless communication device according to claim 1,
The connection control means includes
If communication with the counterpart device is disconnected during connection setting work, reconnecting communication with the counterpart device after a predetermined time;
A wireless communication device.

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