JP4251621B2 - Wireless communication apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless communication technique, and more particularly to a technique for setting a network ID in a wireless communication apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a system composed of a plurality of computers, it is common to construct a LAN in order to effectively use information processing equipment such as information sharing and printers. In particular, in recent years, wireless LAN has come to be used. In view of the fact that there is no need to install a LAN cable in a wireless LAN and the convenience of portable information processing equipment such as a notebook PC, the use of the wireless LAN is expected to expand further in the future.
[0003]
In order to construct a wireless LAN, it is necessary to perform predetermined settings on each device. As an example, consider a case where communication is performed in an infrastructure mode in a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE 802.11. In a wireless LAN compliant with IEEE802.11, a communication group is set based on a network ID called ESS-ID (Extended Service Set ID). The wireless LAN station can communicate by setting the same ESS-ID as the access point.
[0004]
Since the wireless LAN station is generally a computer, the above setting can be performed by keyboard operation of the own computer. In addition, in Microsoft Windows XP (registered trademark), a list of ESS-IDs of access points that can communicate is displayed on the wireless LAN setting screen. The user can communicate with the access point by selecting a desired ID from the ESS-ID list.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a plurality of IDs are displayed in the displayed list of ESS-IDs, the user cannot know which one is a connection partner only by displaying such a list of ESS-IDs. That is, the user needs to know the ESS-ID of the access point to be connected by another means.
[0006]
Also, PC peripheral devices such as digital cameras and printers are generally not equipped with large input means such as a keyboard. When these peripheral devices are used as stations, it is difficult to set the ESS-ID. As a countermeasure, it is necessary to add a large-scale input means such as a keyboard, resulting in an extra cost.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to easily configure the network ID of the external communication device to be the Access Port.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One control method according to the present invention is a control method of a wireless communication device, a creation step of creating a list of network ID external communication apparatus notifies, after the creation of the list is made, connected a display step of performing display to prompt the user operation for starting the broadcast of the network ID from the external communication device to be earlier, after the creation of the list is made, the network ID which is not included in the list If it is detected, characterized in that that have a a determining step of determining an external communication device selected by the user from the external communication device corresponding to the detected network ID as the connection destination.
In addition, one of the control methods according to the present invention is a method for controlling a wireless communication device, and before the list of network IDs notified by the external communication device is created, the network from the external communication device to be connected to the network A display step for performing a display for prompting the user to perform an operation to prevent notification of an ID, a creation step for creating the list, and a network ID that is not included in the list after the creation of the list is performed. And a determining step of determining, as a connection destination, an external communication device selected by the user from the external communication devices corresponding to the detected network ID.
Also, one of the control methods according to the present invention is a method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising: a creation step of creating a list of network IDs notified by an external communication device; and a network ID included in the list A detection step of detecting a network ID that is no longer notified from the external communication device, and when the network ID detected in the detection step is detected again, the external communication device corresponding to the detected network ID is set as the connection destination And a determining step for determining.
[0009]
One of the wireless communication devices according to the present invention includes a creation unit that creates a list of network IDs notified by an external communication device, and a network ID from an external communication device that is to be a connection destination after the list is created. Display means for prompting the user to perform an operation to start the notification, and when a network ID not included in the list is detected after the list is created, the detected network ID Determining means for determining, as a connection destination, an external communication device selected by the user from the external communication devices corresponding to the above .
In addition, one of the wireless communication apparatuses according to the present invention performs an operation for preventing the network ID from being notified from the external communication apparatus that is desired to be the connection destination before the list of network IDs notified by the external communication apparatus is created. Display means for prompting the user, creation means for creating the list, and after the creation of the list, if a network ID not included in the list is detected, it has been detected And determining means for determining, as a connection destination, an external communication device selected by the user from the external communication devices corresponding to the network ID.
In addition, one of the wireless communication devices according to the present invention includes a creation unit that creates a list of network IDs notified by the external communication device, and a network that is no longer notified from the external communication device among the network IDs included in the list. A detection unit that detects an ID; and a determination unit that determines an external communication device corresponding to the detected network ID as a connection destination when the network ID detected by the detection unit is detected again. Features.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
(First embodiment)
The wireless communication system according to the first embodiment includes a wireless LAN station (hereinafter referred to as STA) as a wireless communication device and a wireless LAN access point (hereinafter referred to as AP) as a communication station as an external communication device. Consists of In addition, this wireless communication system conforms to IEEE802.11 and performs communication in the infrastructure mode.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a STA. At the time of data reception, a radio signal is captured from the antenna unit 101 and converted into a baseband signal by the high frequency processing unit 102. The converted baseband signal is converted into digital data by the baseband processing unit 103. The converted digital signal is converted into a predetermined data format by the medium access control unit 104 and sent to the control unit 105. On the other hand, when data is transmitted, data flows in reverse.
[0013]
The control unit 105 stores the data from the medium access control unit 104 in the memory 106 or sends the data to a device or unit connected thereto via the interface 107. Here, examples of the apparatus or unit include a unit for configuring a digital camera and a printer. The control unit 105 also holds data from a device or unit connected to the interface 107 in the memory 106 or sends the data to the medium access control unit 104. The control unit 105 also sends the data held in the memory 106 to the medium access control unit 104 or to the device or unit connected thereto via the interface 107. A display unit 108 displays the state of each unit of the STA and displays data. Reference numeral 109 denotes an input unit for setting the STA and includes a confirmation button.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the AP. At the time of data reception, a radio signal is taken in from the antenna unit 201 and converted into a baseband signal by the high frequency processing unit 202. The converted baseband signal is converted into digital data by the baseband processing unit 203. The converted digital signal is converted into a predetermined data format by the medium access control unit 204 and sent to the control unit 205. On the other hand, when data is transmitted, data flows.
[0015]
The control unit 205 stores the data from the medium access control unit 204 in the memory 206 or sends the data to a device or unit connected thereto via the wired LAN communication unit 207. The control unit 205 also stores data from a device or unit connected to the wired LAN communication unit 207 in the memory 206 or sends the data to the medium access control unit 204. The control unit 205 also sends the data held in the memory 206 to the medium access control unit 204 or to a device or unit connected thereto via the wired LAN communication unit 207. A display unit 208 displays the state of each unit in the AP and displays data. Reference numeral 209 denotes an input unit for setting an AP.
[0016]
In the present embodiment, the situation of FIG. 3 is assumed. In FIG. 3, STA1 is, for example, a digital camera or a printer having a wireless communication unit as shown in FIG. 1, and is a wireless communication apparatus according to this embodiment. For example, a configuration in which an image is sent from a digital camera as a station to a printer, display device, HDD, or DVD drive connected to an access point is assumed. AP21 and AP22 exist in the communication area of STA1. The ESS-ID corresponding to the network ID is set to “01” in the AP 21 and “02” in the AP 22. This ESS-ID is transmitted from each AP.
[0017]
The operation of the STA 1 when the AP 21 of the two APs is initially set as the communication partner of the STA 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIG.
[0018]
When the STA1 is powered on, the wireless initial setting program shown in FIG. First, the program performs a display for prompting the user to perform an operation for preventing the network ID from being notified by a desired AP. In the present embodiment, the display unit 108 displays to the user to turn off the power of the AP that should be the communication partner (see 501 in FIG. 5, step S401). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a confirmation operation is performed on the display unit 108 so as to be performed on the input unit 109. In the present embodiment, pressing the confirmation button is the confirmation operation.
[0019]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 continues to display to turn off the power of the AP to be communicated until a confirmation operation on the input unit 109 is performed. When it is detected that the confirmation operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S403 (step S402). In step S403, surrounding APs are searched to create a list of ESS-IDs. In the case of this example (example of FIG. 5), according to the display of step S401, when the power of AP21 is turned off (421) and the confirmation button of STA1 is pressed, Since only AP22 is sending out, only “02” is registered in the ESS-ID list (511). In addition, as a method of turning off the power of the AP, the power of the AP may be turned off, or the power of the wireless unit (102 to 104 in FIG. 2) may be turned off.
[0020]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 creates a list of ESS-IDs (step S403), and then performs a display for prompting the user to perform an operation of starting notification of a network ID from a desired external communication device. In the present embodiment, a display is made on the display unit 108 as indicated by 502 in FIG. 5 so as to turn on the power of the AP to be the communication partner (step S404).
[0021]
In this state, when the power of the AP 21 is turned on by the user, an ESS-ID (beacon) of “01” is transmitted from the AP 21 (422, 423). As a result, in STA1, “01” is detected in addition to “02” that has been detected earlier. Note that the power supply to the AP may be the power supply to the entire AP, or the power supply to the wireless unit of the AP (102 to 104 in FIG. 2) (the power supply is cut off). Depending on the method). In order to stop / restart beacon transmission from the AP, beacon transmission may be stopped by software in addition to turning the power ON / OFF. For example, an automatic connection button, which will be described later in the second embodiment, may be provided in the AP (when the automatic connection button is pressed, transmission of a beacon is stopped for a predetermined time). In this way, it is not necessary to turn off the AP, and the influence on other devices can be reduced.
[0022]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 compares the list of ESS-IDs created in step S403 (511 in FIG. 5) with each detected ESS-ID and finds an ESS-ID that is not in the list, that is, “01”. It is detected (512 in FIG. 5) and displayed on the display unit 108 (503 in FIG. 5). Then, the input unit 109 is displayed to confirm whether the AP corresponding to the displayed ESS-ID may be determined as a communication partner (step S405). Here, only one ESS-ID is displayed, but when multiple ESS-IDs not in the list are detected, the multiple ESS-IDs are displayed and one of them is selected. You may do it.
[0023]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 continues to display the screen 503 in FIG. 5 until a confirmation operation is performed on the input unit 109. When it is detected that the confirmation operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S407 (step S406). In step S407, connection is made to the AP corresponding to the ESS-ID selected or determined in step S406 based on the IEEE802.11 standard.
[0024]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, an AP that is not desired as a connection partner (AP 22 in the above example) is not displayed as a connection candidate. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily determine the AP desired as the communication partner.
[0025]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the wireless LAN operating in the infrastructure mode has been described. In the second embodiment, a case in which the wireless communication system compliant with IEEE802.11 operates in the ad hoc mode will be described. In this case, the wireless communication system includes a STA as a wireless communication device and a STA as a communication station as an external communication device. The internal structure of the STA is as described above with reference to FIG.
[0026]
For convenience of explanation, the situation shown in FIG. 6 is assumed in the second embodiment. The STA1 is a wireless communication device according to the second embodiment. In the communication area of STA1, there are STA31 and STA32. The ESS-ID corresponding to the network ID is set to “01” in the STA 31 and “02” in the STA 32. Each STA transmits this ESS-ID. For example, a digital camera having the wireless communication unit shown in FIG. 1 as STA1 and a printer having the wireless communication unit shown in FIG. In this case, a digital camera image can be sent to the printer via wireless communication. Note that the image destination station is not limited to a printer, and may be a display device, an HDD, or a DVD drive, for example.
[0027]
Hereinafter, an operation when the STA 31 of the STA 31 and the STA 32 is initially set as a communication partner of the STA 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0028]
When the STA1 is powered on, the control unit 105 starts operating the wireless initial setting program. This program first searches for surrounding STAs and creates a list of ESS-IDs (step S501). In this embodiment, beacons are transmitted from both the STA 21 and the STA 22 at this time (521, 522), and the list of ESS-IDs is “01” and “02” as indicated by 811 in FIG. enter. Next, a display for prompting the user to perform an operation so that the network ID is not notified from a desired external communication device is performed. In the present embodiment, the display unit 108 is displayed so that the user presses the automatic connection button of the STA to be a communication partner (step S502). Further, at this time, a confirmation operation (pressing the confirmation button) is displayed on the display unit 108 to be performed on the input unit 109 (801 in FIG. 8).
[0029]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 continues to be displayed so as to press the automatic connection button of the STA that wants to communicate until the confirmation operation on the input unit 109 is performed. If it is detected that this confirmation operation (pressing confirmation button 802) has been performed, the process proceeds to step S504 (step S503).
[0030]
On the other hand, in the STA 31, when the automatic connection button is pressed (522), beacon transmission is stopped for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (523). When 30 seconds elapse, beacon transmission is started again (524).
[0031]
The wireless initial setting program of STA1 searches for surrounding STAs after pressing the confirmation button, and compares each ESS-ID received at this time with the contents of the ESS-ID list created in step S501 to notify A stop ESS-ID list is created (step S504). Specifically, for example, the ESS-ID list created in step S501 is copied to the broadcast stop ESS-ID list, and then each ESS-ID that can be currently received is in the broadcast stop ESS-ID list. Delete the ESS-ID from the list. By repeating this process, only the ESS-ID for which notification has been stopped remains in the notification stop ESS-ID list. In this example, since the ESS-ID of the STA 21 whose beacon is stopped at 523 is not received, only “01” remains in the notification stop ESS-ID list as indicated by 812 in FIG.
[0032]
Next, when the wireless initial setting program of STA1 detects the ESS-ID ("01" in this example) in the broadcast stop ESS-ID list created in step S504, the wireless initial setting program proceeds to step S506 (step S505). In this example, the communication partner STA 31 (STA in which the automatic connection button is pressed) starts sending the ESS-ID “01” again 30 seconds after the beacon is stopped. As a result, in STA1, “01” is detected in addition to “02” that has been detected earlier. That is, the ESS-ID in the notification stop ESS-ID list is detected, and the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, based on the IEEE802.11 standard, connection is made to the STA corresponding to the ESS-ID corresponding to step S505, that is, the STA31.
[0033]
As described above, the STA 1 can connect to a desired STA 31 without performing an ESS-ID input operation.
[0034]
In the above embodiment, the main configuration for setting the network ID and establishing the communication connection has been described. Therefore, in practice, various configurations can be added to the configuration described above. For example, in each conditional branch of steps S402, S406, 503, and S506, when a loop is repeated for a predetermined time or longer by performing a timer process, a process of starting over from the beginning or midway may be added. Further, when there is no content in each list or the value is not scheduled, a process of starting over from the beginning or midway may be added.
[0035]
Further, in the above embodiment, the ESS-ID is connected to the network as the network ID, but this is not limited to the ESS-ID. For example, the MAC address in IEEE802.11 may be used as a network ID and connected to a network.
Further, the STA may be applied to the AP in the first embodiment, or the AP may be applied to the STA in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, beacon transmission is stopped for a predetermined time using an automatic connection button. However, a configuration in which the power is turned ON / OFF as in the first embodiment may be used.
[0036]
As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, even when there are a plurality of printers, the power of the connected device (AP, STA) can be turned on / off without operating the user interface of the camera or PC. The output destination can be selected by an off operation or a simple operation of a predetermined operation button (automatic connection button of the embodiment).
[0037]
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.
[0038]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0039]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0040]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0041]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, Ru can be easily to set the network ID of the external communication device you want to connect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a wireless LAN station (STA).
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a wireless LAN access point (AP).
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a wireless LAN environment assumed in the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating wireless initial setting in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining display contents of a display unit and contents of an ESS-ID list according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a wireless LAN environment assumed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating wireless initial setting in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating display contents of a display unit and contents of an ESS-ID list according to a second embodiment.

Claims (19)

A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising:
A creation step of external communication devices to create a list of network ID for informing,
A display step for performing a display for prompting the user to perform an operation of starting notification of a network ID from an external communication device desired to be a connection destination after the creation of the list;
After creation of the list is performed, if the network ID is not included in the list is detected, the external communication apparatus selected by the user from the external communication device corresponding to the detected network ID the method according to claim Rukoto which have a a determining step of determining as a connection destination. Before the creation of the list is performed, and wherein Rukoto that have a row intends display step display for prompting from the external communication device to the user operation network ID from being broadcast to be the connection destination to the further The control method according to claim 1. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising:
A display step of performing a display for prompting the user to perform an operation so that the network ID is not notified from the external communication device that is desired to be a connection destination before the list of network IDs notified by the external communication device is created;
A creation step for creating the list;
If a network ID not included in the list is detected after the list is created, an external communication device selected by the user from among the external communication devices corresponding to the detected network ID is connected. Decision step to decide as a destination and
A control method characterized by comprising: 5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. A method for controlling a wireless communication device, comprising:
A creation step of creating a list of network IDs notified by the external communication device;
A detection step of detecting a network ID that is no longer broadcast from the external communication apparatus from the network ID included in the list,
If the network ID which is detected by the detecting step is detected again, the control method comprising Rukoto which have a a determining step of determining an external communication device corresponding to the network ID is detected again as a connection destination. Before the creation of the list is carried out, characterized Rukoto that have a row intends display step display for prompting the user operation network ID from the external communication device to be a destination from being informed to further The control method according to claim 6 . The control method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. A creation unit for external communication device to create a list of network ID for informing,
Display means for performing a display for prompting the user to perform an operation of starting notification of the network ID from the external communication device desired to be a connection destination after the creation of the list;
After creation of the list is performed, if the network ID is not included in the list is detected, the external communication apparatus selected by the user from the external communication device corresponding to the detected network ID A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines a connection destination. The display means includes
10. The wireless communication according to claim 9, wherein a display for prompting a user to perform an operation so that a network ID is not notified from an external communication device desired as the connection destination is performed before the list is created. 11. apparatus. 11. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. Display means for prompting the user to perform an operation to prevent the network ID from being notified from the external communication device desired to be the connection destination before the list of network IDs notified by the external communication device is created;
Creating means for creating the list;
If a network ID not included in the list is detected after the list is created, an external communication device selected by the user from among the external communication devices corresponding to the detected network ID is connected. The decision means to decide first
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. Creating means for creating a list of network IDs notified by the external communication device;
Detection means for detecting a network ID that is no longer broadcast from the external communication apparatus from the network ID included in the list,
If the network ID which is detected by said detecting means is detected again, the radio communication apparatus according to claim Rukoto that having a determination means for determining an external communication device corresponding to the network ID is detected again as a connection destination . The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising display means for performing display for prompting a user to perform an operation for preventing the network ID from being notified from an external communication apparatus to be connected. 16. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the network ID is an ESS-ID used in a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE 802.11. Control program for executing the control method according to the computer in any one of claims 1 to 3. A control program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 4 or 5. A control program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 6.

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